The tradition of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse began with President Calvin Coolidge over 90 years ago when he lit a 48 foot Balsam Fir from Vermont decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white, and green on Christmas Eve 1923 Today, the tree lighting remains a beloved holiday event in Washington, DC
Who began the tradition of lighting a national Christmas tree?
Christmas Trees From Germany Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes
Which President lighted the National Christmas Tree first?
In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse to light a 48-foot fir tree decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white and green, as a local choir and a “quartet” from the US Marine Band performed
When was the first national Christmas tree lit and who was the president?
President and Participants: At 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve, President Calvin Coolidge lit the first “National Christmas Tree” [The program identified the tree as the “National Christmas Tree,” a title changed to “National Community Christmas Tree” in 1924
When was the national Christmas tree lit?
The National Christmas tree lights turn on around sunset each evening and turn off promptly at 10:00pm Sunday-Thursday and 11:00pm Friday and Saturday
What is the pagan origin of the Christmas tree?
Pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice “So the idea of bringing evergreens into the house started there and eventually that evolved into the Christmas tree”Dec 18, 2016
Where did the Christmas tree originate?
But the real origins of Christmas trees appear to be rooted in present-day Germany during the Middle Ages In 1419, a guild in Freiburg put up a tree decorated with apples, flour-paste wafers, tinsel and gingerbread
Does the president light the National Christmas Tree?
Every year, early in December, the tree is traditionally lit by the President of the United States Every president since Franklin D Roosevelt also made formal remarks during the tree lighting ceremony Since 1954, the event has marked the start of month-long festivities known as the Pageant of Peace
What happened to the National Christmas Tree?
Park Service removes National Christmas Tree near White House after it develops fungal disease The new tree will be planted in the fall ahead of the 99th National Christmas Tree Lighting, the park agency said in a news release
What event postponed the lights being put up in 1941?
Decorations Outdoor Christmas lights were one of the first wartime casualties In Antioch, California, for example, outdoor Christmas lights were turned off on December 11, 1941, and the tradition of lighting the community Christmas tree was postponed for the duration
Why are there 56 trees around the National Christmas Tree?
In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas Tree on the grounds of the Ellipse In 1954, 56 smaller trees were planted around the National Christmas Tree, representing the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia Each year, these trees are decorated by organizations from every state
Where is the National Christmas Tree displayed?
Since 1973, the National Christmas Tree has been a living tree which can be viewed year-round in President’s Park – one of America’s 422 national parks! A 30-foot Colorado blue spruce currently serves as the National Christmas Tree
Is a Christmas tree a pagan symbol?
Christmas trees did begin as a pagan tradition as early as the fourth century CE, according to ABC News European pagans were largely responsible for dressing their homes with the branches of evergreen fir trees in order to bring color and light into their dull winters
Are Christmas lights pagan?
Harkening to Anglo-Saxon pagan tradition of unclear origin, first references of lighting the Yule log are rooted in 12th-century Germany By the 17th century, Christians had melded pagan mythos with their own The practice of the Yule log had evolved into lighting small candles on the iconic Christmas tree
What is the name of the pagan holiday for Christmas?
Christmas owes its roots to the ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia, which was a pagan festival which was celebrated from December 17-25 each year
What is the origin of Christmas lights?
Christmas lights actually started out just as candles These candles were attached to the tree using wax or pins The practice began in Germany during the 17th century and over the next 200 or so years; it became an established practice in Germany and began to spread out into other countries of Eastern Europe
Was Christmas originally a pagan holiday?
Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we’ve come to associate with Christmas actually evolved from pagan traditions celebrating the winter solstice “In ancient Rome there was a feast called Saturnalia that celebrated the solstice
What does the Bible say about a Christmas tree?
Leviticus 23:40 says: And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days Some believe this verse means the tree is a celebratory symbol based on the worship of God
How long does the White House Christmas tree stay up?
After the official 96th annual tree lighting ceremony on November 28th, 2018 (unfortunately, the lottery for tickets closed on October 22) the tree will be lit daily from 4:30 pm to midnight yet the tree is always open to visitors if you are unable to make it in the evening when it is lit up
What major event occured in the White House on Christmas Eve that inspired the creation of the new Oval Office?
On Christmas Eve 1929 a holiday party roared in the East Room of the White House for guests of President Hoover Suddenly, at 8 PM, a fire broke out in the West Wing! Discover the story of the response to the fire and the rebuilding of the Executive Offices