The tradition of a National Christmas Tree began somewhat informally. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson arranged for a community tree-lighting ceremony on the East Plaza. The evening consisted of performances by the U.S. Marine Band, a large choir, and a performance of the Nativity story. The American public was enthralled – over 20,000 people attended the ceremony. Despite its success, however, an official National “Community” Christmas Tree was not instated until 1923, when a tree from Vermont was installed in the Ellipse. It was President Calvin Coolidge who lit the tree this time, using a button on a switch box which is still used today. The ceremony of 1924 saw the tree moved to Sherman Plaza, nearer to the entrance of the White House.

The tree remained at Sherman Plaza until 1934, when it was moved to Lafayette Park to accommodate landscaping in the Plaza. In 1939, the location was changed again, this time back to its original place on the Ellipse to allow for growing crowd attendance. 1941 was an unusual year for the National Christmas Tree, as President Franklin Roosevelt made the decision to invite the public back to the White House. The tree, a 30-foot spruce, was set up just 100 feet away from the southern border of the White House grounds.

Then, in 1942, the National Christmas Tree went dark. World War II was in full swing, and lighting the tree would have provided a prime target for enemy bombers, given the immense number of attendees and the national significance of the location. The tree was not re-lit until the end of the war in 1945, when the Ellipse again saw a massive crowd gather to watch the lighting ceremony, hosted by President Harry Truman. As a memorial to the war, the name of the event was changed to the National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace.

In 1946, the National Christmas Tree was opened up to the nation with its first televised ceremony. The ceremonies continued uninterrupted until 1954, when operation of the celebration was handed over to Washington citizens and guided by President Dwight Eisenhower. It was this year that saw the expansion of the ceremony from a simple celebration to an all-out extravaganza. The program, usually held on Christmas Eve, was instead stretched out over three weeks and included a nativity diorama, a “Pathway to Peace” comprised of small Christmas trees with decorations from the US states, embassies, and territories, a large stage, and various exhibits. The following year, in 1955, the volunteers coalesced into a non-profit organization called the Christmas Pageant of Peace, Inc., and have overseen the celebrations since then.

The ceremony changed very little from 1954-1972, with the exception of the Presidents who hosted the tree lighting. President Eisenhower oversaw the tree until 1961, when the tree was lit by Vice President Lyndon Johnson. President John Kennedy lit the tree of 1962, and upon his assassination, the tree of 1963 was not lit until December 22^nd, again by Lyndon Johnson, due to a national period of mourning for President Kennedy. For the trees of 1969, 1970, and 1973, President Nixon oversaw the ceremony, followed by Vice President Spiro Agnew in 1971 and 1972.

Prior to this point, the event had been more locally focused, but 1972 saw the tree officially lose its “Community” title in an effort to focus on national outreach. A 42-foot tall Blue Spruce tree was planted for the 1973 ceremony with the intention of becoming the permanent tree used. President Gerald Ford was the one to light the tree in 1974, complete with the installation of a bronze plaque commemorating the first living tree, but ironically, the “permanent” tree died in 1976.

A replacement Blue Spruce, 30 feet tall, was planted in 1977 to replace its ill-fated predecessor, and was lit by President Jimmy Carter. The tree went dark again in 1979, this time out of respect for the American hostages in Iran. Only the very top ornament was visible. When the hostages were finally released, the tree was lit in celebration on January 20^th, 1981.

The spirit of the holiday was darkened with President Ronald Reagan’s attempted assassination, and as a result, President Reagan lit the tree remotely from within the safety of the White House for the duration of his terms in office. In 1989, President George Bush returned to light the tree in person, although he and his wife were directed to watch the festivities from a sealed glass room near the stage. President Bill Clinton took over in 1993, and in 1994, the Pageant of Peace was elaborated by a small model railroad that wove around the base of the tree. 2001 saw the tragedy of September 11^th, and so that year, President George W. Bush lit the tree along with the children of victims of September 11^th.

President Barack Obama and his family took over the lighting ceremony in 2009, and have continued to this day. Heavy winds in 2011 snapped and killed the 1973 spruce, and its replacement died shortly after transplant due to the shock of moving. The tree that currently stands in the Ellipse was planted in 2012.

The lighting of the tree this year, 2013, marks the unofficial Centennial of a community Christmas celebration in the heart of America’s government. In an official capacity, this will be the 91^st Annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Entertainment has not yet been announced, but recent years have seen celebrities and artists such as Neil Patrick Harris and the Fray make an appearance to perform and entertain viewers. Regardless of the entertainment chosen, the Pageant of Peace includes many seasonal songs and traditions. The National Christmas Tree has a long history behind its creation, and knowing that history can only enrich the viewing of what is and always has been a heartfelt celebration of peace, goodwill, and the Christmas spirit.

For more information about the National Christmas Tree and the traditions behind it, please feel free to peruse the following links.

• History of the National Christmas Trees – The National Park Service has an excellent article which details the history of the national Christmas trees. For in-depth coverage of the trees from 1923 to present, look no further than this comprehensive web page.
• Christmas Tree Facts – Did you know that it was Edward Johnson, assistant to Thomas Edison, who came up with the idea to produce electric lights for Christmas trees? Find out more facts with this article from the University of Illinois.
• Remarks on Lighting the National Community Christmas Tree, 1983 – Every tree lighting is preceded by a message from the President of the United States. Read the transcript of Ronald Reagan’s message to America here, provided by The American Presidency Project.
• National Tree Ornament Project – The National Christmas Tree is usually adorned by ornaments collected and donated throughout the United States of America. Hosted by FAME, this slideshow shows the process of making ornaments to represent the state of Indiana.
• Christmas Tree Tips (PDF) – Christmas trees are both fun and decorative, but like all things, there are safety hazards to consider. The National Safety Council has a list of items to keep in mind while setting up a home or community Christmas tree.
• 6 Great American Christmas Trees – The National Christmas Tree may be the one that gets the most press, but there are five other Christmas Trees that are well worth notice. The AARP provides information on these trees and where to find them.
• White House Christmas Trees – The Presidential families have Christmas trees of their own, and this photo gallery allows for a closer look at what Christmas morning in the White House may be like. The photos and commentary are provided by the White House Archives.
• Coolidge Lights First National Christmas Tree – Aside from being the first National Christmas Tree, this was also the first to be decorated with electric lights. This page from the History Channel provides more information like this about the lighting of the first National Christmas Tree.
• Story of the National Christmas Tree – The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance has an excellent article on the creation of the first National Christmas Tree and the continuing history. The article features little-known facts about the various Pageants and information on how to get involved with the festivities.
• Remarks at Lighting of National Christmas Tree, 1962 – As the first and only year that President Kennedy lit the National Christmas Tree, his speech from the ceremony conveys an especially poignant message of peace and goodwill to all nations. Read it here at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
• Winds Topple National Christmas Tree – In 2011, the National Christmas Tree was snapped in half by strong winds. There is a picture of the downed tree and the official report of the incident here, published by the New York Times.
• ‘Twas the First National Christmas Tree – This article tells the story of the first Christmas Tree and the Coolidge’s part in it. The information is provided by the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation.
• National Menorah Glows Near Christmas Tree – The National Christmas Tree isn’t the only symbol of the season to appear on the Ellipse. There’s a National Menorah as well, and you can find out more about it in this article from the U.S. Department of State.