National Christmas Tree
- The General Grant tree in Kings Canyon National Park has been proclaimed the "Nation's Christmas Tree".
The National Christmas Tree is a 40-foot (12 m) Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on October 20, 1978. The lighting of the tree by the President of the United States is the central event in the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace. There is also an official "White House Christmas Tree", which is usually a cut tree placed within the White House.
The tradition of the outdoor decorated tree began in November 1923 when First Lady Grace Coolidge gave permission for the District of Columbia Public Schools to erect a cut Christmas tree on the Ellipse south of the White House. The first tree was a 48-foot balsam fir from Vermont, lit by President Calvin Coolidge at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The organizers named the tree the "National Christmas Tree". The following year the name was changed to the "National Community Christmas Tree", and the name was not changed back until 1972. In more recent decades the tree was lit in mid-December rather than Christmas Eve. Today the tree is lit in early December.
From 1924 to 1953 live trees, in various locations around and on the White House grounds, were lit on Christmas Eve. In 1954 the ceremony returned to the Ellipse and expanded its focus. Local civic and business groups created the "Christmas Pageant of Peace". Smaller live trees representing the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, formed a "Pathway of Peace". On December 17, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower lit a cut tree donated by the people of Michigan. Cut trees continued to be used until 1973 when a live tree was planted. In 1977 the original tree needed to be replaced, but that tree only lasted one season, having been damaged in a windstorm. The current tree was 30 feet (9 m) when it was transplanted in 1978. The tree stands as a daily reminder of the holiday spirit and of the tradition each succeeding President has participated in since 1923.
Beginning in 1988, a group of Christmas Tree experts (led by a birthday girl from Leesburg, VA) has made an annual trek to the Ellipse to vote on the best and worst of the smaller trees along the "Pathway of Peace". Neither rain, nor snow, nor frigid wind has kept these dedicated Christmas tree groupies from their appointed rounds on this annual day of judging the tacky and fabulous ornaments gracing the smaller trees.
Reference
See also
External link
- National Christmas Trees - 1923 to Present
- Geographical coordinates: 38°53′41″N 77°2′11″W / 38.89472°N 77.03639°W