The National Christmas Tree

There are about 25-30000000 Christmas trees sold in the United States each year. But a tree gets the honorary position as a national Christmas tree in our country. Every year there is a tree proudly in front of the White House in Washington, DC, and if the President returns this switch is illuminated with lights. There is a long tradition dating back to 1923, when Calvin Coolidge presidency of the first public celebration of Christmas with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

Now, do not think that mixes with the White House Christmas Tree. This tree, also known as the Blue Room Christmas Tree, is the official White House Christmas Tree. However, the National Christmas Tree is omitted and the lighting has become a festival. Every year, people across the country to see visit to Washington, the light beam, and the celebration is now a part of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, which also includes a featured guest artists, costumed entertainers, choirs, gospel volunteers and even an appearance of the first family ,

How did this celebration? Take a journey back in time to see the most important events that have shaped this national celebration.

It started at the Capitol

In 1913 the country gained its first contact with the national spirit of Christmas. President Woodrow Wilson called for a community Christmas tree in the Capitol laid for a lighting ceremony could be seen as a national event. On Christmas Eve, a quantity of 20,000 people gathered to celebrate "A Civic Christmas." Visitors had the US Navy Band, singer and reenaction 1000 Nativity costume. Today, a Christmas tree Capitol always displayed on the grounds of the US Capitol, but not to be confused with the National Christmas Tree are. In contrast, the National Christmas Tree has become a major event in the White House.

The first official Christmas tree in 1923, this "Christmas Tree Association" was created by President Calvin Coolidge lit on Christmas Eve in President's Park, south of the White House, also known as an ellipse. With 2,500 lights in red, white and green, where established, the tree was a gift from Middlebury College in Vermont. Visitors had the tree lighting and Christmas carols by the choir and the Church of the Epiphany US Marine band singing quartet.

The location of the tree moves in the coming years. Ellipse moved in 1923 in Sherman Plaza - near the eastern entrance to the White House - 1924 to 1933, in Lafayette Park from 1934 to 1938, then again on the ellipse, where he remained .ventanilla dropoff

I light

The tree lighting ceremony has always symbolized the news of the country. For example, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the ceremony in 1941 included a surprise appearance by Sir Winston Churchill. The following year war cuts on the tree are kept until 1944 -1942.

In 1954 the tree was lit on its financial statements usual, but something had changed. President Dwight Eisenhower lit the first National Christmas Tree for Peace Parade held on December 17, Christmas Eve. This paved the way for the current lighting ceremonies. Not with December 25th and more tourists can be seen in the light and still be at home for your own family traditions. Was also changed the way of peace, which the tree of National Community Christmas. It has now lined with small Christmas trees decorated by embassies, states and US territories. What was once a single Christmas tree, now a main shaft contains 56 smaller trees - one for each state, territory and the District of Columbia.

Although the remains of trees lit for hours during the holiday season, in 1980, the tree completely illuminated by 417 seconds. Every second, every day to symbolize been imprisoned hostages in Iran.

Five years later - Christmas 1985 - called President George HW Bush Tree lights up briefly refused to support the American hostages in Lebanon and their families in the country. In 2001, the children of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, has contributed to the Pentagon, the tree lights.

Keeping up with the national agenda today burn to standard light bulbs, energy-efficient the National Christmas Tree with LEDs replaced decorated, also known as LED. They serve as a retreat from the domestic market as everyone can save energy, to reduce their carbon footprint.

The tree on the right side

Felled trees were delivered to a parade celebrating Peace Before 1973. This year, a 42-foot blue spruce from northern Pennsylvania was supported by the National Arborist zone granted and was a permanent national Christmas tree thought. Unfortunately, the tree began with 1976 died in 1978 at a blue spruce 40 meters high durability Colorado has also been given by an anonymous family in Maryland, serving in the ellipse, the National Christmas Tree transplanted.

Today

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree and Peace Parade takes place every year in the White House. But if you're wondering what this has to do with the national parks, you may be surprised to learn that the White House is actually a unit of the National Park System to be. He was handed over to the National Park Service (US Department of the Interior), August 10, 1933.

You can read about some of the events in this year's parade on the side of peace. For even more information, you can read the history of the National Christmas Tree on the website Travel Washington, DC.