>> ♪ hey you, mr. police you better heed the warning because the handwriting is on the wall hey you, mr. police chief you better heed the people's morning call because the handwriting is on the wall so have fun while you can, just like the wall of jericho you are bound to fall ♪ >> sunday, tim gunn hosts a

discussion of holiday decorations and traditions at the white house. panelists include lynda johnson robb and former white house chief usher jerry walters. that is sunday at 6:30 pm eastern time on c-span three's3's american history tv. >> 200 years ago, on december 4, 18 14, the treaty of ghent was signed by negotiators from great britain and the united states, eventually bringing the war of 1812 to an end. next on american artifacts, we visit the octagon museum and the treaty room where president madison signed the agreement on this table in 1815. we joined a tour of the museum with a group of belgians who traveled to the octagon to mark the anniversary with a gift of several hybridized treaty of

ghent rose plants. >> hi, i'm helene and i have the honor of being the president of the american institute of architects for 2014, which is now the steward of this historic property at the corner of 18th street and e street. it is the location of the signing of the treaty of ghent so we are celebrating the 200th anniversary here today with our friends from belgium who have come to honor us with their presence. [applause] >> of course, this is a privilege to be here and offer this special rose, that normally blooms from july to october it -november. has been cultivated here in america. it comes from chicago. we hope it will bloom for a long

time, for many generations to come. [applause] >> all of the belgians for the most part had not seen it before. they were interested in viewing the home. and the tour guide for this event is the director of special projects for the american institute of architects and is himself a learned historian and a wonderful expert on the octagon and everything related to the aia. >> he could go in there to get his clothes and sherry, so when he had a guest, he could lubricate the business conversation going on. this is the table upon which the treaty of ghent was signed. the box in which it came is behind you.

the americans, with a knock at the door. the servants and everybody began to yell "peace! peace!" the place goes ballistic. fiddles are played. it is a huge celebration. a house filled with light because there was darkness all over the place. the smoldering rooms of the white house, the capitol. >> we gave each individual a long stemmed yellow rose as a personal takeaway, if you will from the event and to remind them throughout the day of the shared respect and admiration and affection we have for one another and the countries and their abiding friendship.