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The evolution of the national Christmas tree The national tree has changed species, locations, energy efficiencies and size, but lighting it has been a tradition since 1923.
Dec. 24, 1923
President Calvin Coolidge began the tradition of having a national Christmas tree when he lit 2,500 electric bulbs on a balsam fir on Christmas Eve.
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Library of Congress
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Dec. 24, 1923
The tree was originally called the community Christmas tree. The 48-foot balsam fir was a gift from the president of Middlebury College in Vermont.
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Library of Congress
1913
In addition to the national tree in front of the White House, a second tree is displayed in front of the Capitol. The official practice of lighting a tree in front of the Capitol did not begin until 1964.
Harris & Ewing
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Library of Congress
1938
The national Christmas tree ceremony changed locations several times before ending up at the Ellipse, south of the White House, where it is today. The ceremony was held in Lafayette Park from 1934 to 1938.
Theodor Horydczak
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Library of Congress
Dec. 16, 1976
President Gerald Ford lights the national Christmas tree. The variety of tree used for the ceremony changed several times before the current one was decided on in 1978. This tree is a 42-foot Colorado blue spruce.
Marion S. Trikosko
Dec. 14 1994
The Capitol Christmas tree shines brightly after being lit by outgoing House Speaker Thomas Foley (D-Wash.) on Capitol Hill. The tree, a 60-foot, 60-year-old balsam fir, came from the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont.
John Duricka
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AP
Nov. 29, 1995
Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, assists John Betchkal, president of the National Christmas Pageant of Peace, in topping the national christmas tree. Looking on are Dante and Kiona Walker from the Community of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides services to the homeless and low-income families.
Joyce Naltchayan
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AFP
Dec. 5, 2000
Workers prepare the tree for the lighting ceremony. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, beginning in 1995 the national tree has been powered by solar energy.
Juana Arias
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The Washington Post
Dec. 9, 2001
The national menorah joined the national Christmas tree on the Ellipse for the first time in 1979. Another candle is lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Robert A. Reeder
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The Washington Post
Dec. 5, 2002
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush participate in the lighting ceremony of the national Christmas tree on the Ellipse. Two 7-year-olds, Samara Banks and Benjamin Schneiller, who participated in the president's Call to Service program, lighted the tree.
Robert A. Reeder
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The Washington Post
Dec. 1, 2005
During times of heightened security, presidents have remotely lighted the tree from within the White House.
Rich Lipski
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The Washington Post
Dec. 6, 2007
To be even more environmentally conscious, the tree has been decorated with LEDs instead of standard bulbs. This is also better for the tree, a 30-foot Colorado blue spruce from York, Pa., as standard heavy, hot electric bulbs weaken the tree.
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
Dec. 4, 2008
General Electric has donated and designed the decorations for the national tree since 1963. The LEDs used in 2008 were 50 percent more efficient than those used in 2007.
Ricky Carioti
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The Washington Post
Jan. 20, 2009
The decorations for the national Christmas tree have been put up by Hargrove Inc. since 1954.
Jacquelyn Martin
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AP
Dec. 3, 2009
President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters. Malia and Sasha, attend the national Christmas tree lighting.
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
Dec. 7, 2010
The Capitol Christmas tree is another fixture of the Washington holiday season. The 2010 tree is shown here on the Capitol’s west lawn.
Bill O'Leary
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The Washington Post
Feb. 19, 2011
Workers stand near the national Christmas tree that was knocked over by the strong winds in February of 2011.
Evan Vucci
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AP
Feb. 19, 2011
Branches from the National Christmas tree are blown into a wood chipper as National Park Service employees remove the tree after high winds snapped its trunk.
Gerald Martineau
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For The Washington Post
Dec. 1, 2011
A large crowd gathers to watch as the Obama family presides over the 89th National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
Katherine Frey
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THE WASHINGTON POST
Dec. 1, 2011
President Obama pinches his daughter Sasha's nose as the song "Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer" plays.
Marvin Joseph
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WASHINGTON POST
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