The National Christmas tree in Washington has been a monumental part of the holidays for over 80 years.
In addition to the National Christmas Tree, every Christmas season brings an annual National Christmas Tree Program to the White House grounds. The program, which takes place on the Ellipse south of the grounds, takes place from the beginning of December to January1. The program consists of the lighting of the Christmas tree, the National Christmas tree Program and the National Christmas Tree Music Program. The President of the United States lights the Christmas tree as the start of the National Christmas Tree Program.
The program includes a military band, well-known celebrities and the President delivering a speech to the entire world.
In November 1934, First Lady Grace Coolidge told public schools they could erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse part of the White House lawn. President Calvin Coolidge lighted the first National Christmas Tree on December 24, 1923, in the middle of the Ellipse while 3,000 enthusiastic bystanders watched. This first tree was a 48-foot Balsam fir. For many years, the location of the live trees varied, but in 1954, it returned to the Ellipse. Cut trees began being used at this time, a tradition that continued until 1974. Residents of Michigan donated the first cut tree.
Today a live Christmas tree is once again used. This tree, from York, Pennsylvania, is a Colorado blue spruce that was planted on the Ellipse in 1978. Every President since 1923 has participated in the tree lighting ceremony, which takes place in the center of the ceremony.
