Celebrating 100 Years of The National Christmas Tree, Coolidge’s Gift to the Country
By • November 8, 2023 0 443
As we celebrate 100 years of The National Christmas Tree, here are some noteworthy dates throughout its rich history:
1923
President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, First Lady Grace Coolidge, permitted D.C. Public Schools to put a Christmas tree on the Ellipse. The tree then named the “National Christmas Tree.”
1945
President Harry S. Truman lit the tree (which had not been illuminated since 1941 due to the war) and delivered a Christmas message.
1954-1956
A wider celebration called the “Christmas Pageant of Peace” including the tree lighting and a group of smaller trees representing each state, territory and D.C. is created (and still celebrated today!).
1963
After the death of President Kennedy, the lighting ceremony was postponed until after the 30-day mourning period. On December 22, President Lyndon Johnson, his wife First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and their daughter Luci lit the tree.
1978
Two previous live trees planted on the Ellipse died, so the National Park Service horticulturalists searched for a new National Tree. They found a healthy and robust one (a Colorado blue spruce to be exact) in York, PA.
2007
LED lights were used on the National Christmas Tree at the request of the White House GE, making the tree more energy-efficient than it had ever been.
2015
The National Park Service 2016 Centennial was kicked off at the tree lighting with sparkling gold ribbon and silver stars and lights usually used for milestone celebrations like centennials.
2020
Due to the pandemic, the lighting ceremony didn’t host a live audience and instead aired a special through a virtual celebration. The lights on the tree were a patriotic red, white, and blue.
2023
This year, the tree will be lit November 30.
