Where did the White House Christmas tree come from?
Where did the White House Christmas tree come from?
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.
What was the first Xmas tree at the White House?
1909, A ‘Blue’ Christmas: President William H. Taft was the first president to have a tree in the public portion of the White House.
How long has the White House put up an official Christmas tree?
1966
Since 1966, the official White House tree has been selected from a competition held by the National Christmas Tree Association. This year’s tree, an 18-and-a-half foot Fraser fir from West Virginia, has been decorated in the theme of Melania Trump’s choice, “America the Beautiful”.
Why were Christmas trees banned in the White House?
Around the internet, there are innumerable articles about how Theodore Roosevelt banned Christmas trees in the White House because of “environmental concerns” only to then have one of his sons rebel and install a small tree, much to his father’s surprise. …
Which president brought the Christmas tree to the White House?
Benjamin Harrison
The tradition of a placing a decorated tree in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning during the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison.
Why do we write Xmas instead of Christmas?
In the Greek alphabet, X is the symbol for the letter ‘chi. In the early days of the Christian church, Christians used the letter X as a secret symbol to indicate their membership in the church to others. If you know the Greek meaning of X, Xmas and Christmas essentially mean the same thing: Christ + mas = Christmas.
Which president did not have a Christmas tree?
Roosevelt
Historians, commentators, and writers later reasoned that Roosevelt didn’t have a large tree because of his beliefs in conservationism, when in fact it was because the family did not traditionally celebrate Christmas with a tree.
Who designs White House Christmas decorations?
The official Christmas decor can be credited to her vision. One of the many duties assigned to the First Lady is decorating the White House for the holidays each year. It will come as little surprise to learn that Jackie Kennedy is the founder of this festive tradition.
What president brought the first Christmas tree into the White House?
President Franklin Pierce is said to have had the first indoor Christmas tree at the White House during the 1850s, variously reported as 1853 or 1856. Others claim the first tree was during President Benjamin Harrison’s administration (either in 1888, 1889, or 1891).
Who decorates the White House for Christmas?
Schroeder decorates White House for Christmas. Local resident Amy Schroeder stands at the entrance of the White House, as she prepares to enter and put up Christmas decorations.
Where does the Whitehouse Christmas tree come from?
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.
Is White House decorated for Christmas?
The tradition of decorating the White House for Christmas has a rich history that can be traced all the way back to 1889. It was then, during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison, that the first Christmas tree was displayed in the Oval Room.