by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
For the 93rd year, the First Family and thousands of celebrants gathered on the Ellipse, President’s Park, just across from the White House to light the National Christmas Tree. The tradition dates back to 1923 when school children wrote to President Calvin Coolidge asking to put a Christmas Tree on the South Lawn of the White House and since then, the celebration for the National Tree has grown into an honored annual tradition for people in Washington and around the US as well.
The first National Tree was a 48-foot Balsam fir and the current tree is a 30-foot high Colorado blue spruce draped in thousands of LED lights and topped with a twinkling star that can be seen from near and far.
Fall Out Boy
This year’s tree lighting continues the tradition of great musical acts gathering to celebrate the season including Fall Out Boy, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Kelsea Ballerini, Aloe Blacc, Andra Day and Trombone Shorty. Also on hand was Scandal actress Bellamy Young who showed she has a talent for crooning as well, singing “The Christmas Song.” The show was hosted this year by Academy Award winning actress Reese Witherspoon who was enthusiastic and cheerful to keep the crowd happy on cold and windy winter evening in DC.
Reese Witherspoon
The First Lady (joined by Miss Piggy) read “The Night Before Christmas” to a special group of youngsters and no tree lighting would be complete without a pop in from the big guy in red, Santa Claus himself.
First Lady Michelle Obama
President Obama was very intentional as he spoke to the crowd. trying to keep demeanor up but didn’t shy away from mentioning recent tragedies to pay homage to those impacted. “This is of course the most wonderful time of the year, but we would be remise not to take a moment to remember our fellow Americans whose hearts are heavy tonight,” said the President about the San Bernadino shooting victims. “Their loss is our loss too.”
President Barack Obama
The President was inspiring in the end though reminding the crowd that this is a season of giving and love and that not just as Americans but as people we need to look out for our fellow man. “Let’s come together as brothers and sisters around the humanity that we share.”
Don’t miss the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park by the White House and the National Christmas Tree Lighting will air on PBS stations throughout the month of December, check local listings and check out some highlights of the events below:
