Plot Synopsis

The tradition began in 1923 when First Lady Grace Coolidge gave permission for the District of Columbia Public Schools to erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse south of the White House. The organizers named the tree the National Christmas Tree. That Christmas Eve, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse and pushed the button to light the 48-foot Balsam fir decorated with 2500 electric bulbs, as enthusiastic spectators looked on. Since that first ceremony in 1923, the history of the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree has become intertwined with the history of America. From 1942-1944, no tree was lit during World War II, but in 1945 President Truman lit the tree and delivered a Christmas message. In 1954 the Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Citizen's Committee conceived of a wider celebration called the "Christmas Pageant of Peace" in which the tree lighting event expanded to three weeks. A "Pathway of Peace" was composed of smaller trees representing all the states, territories and the District of Columbia. In 2007, LED Christmas lights were used on the National Christmas Tree at the request of the White House; GE thus made the National Christmas Tree more energy-efficient than ever before. GE has been designing the National Christmas Tree since 1963, producing and donating the lighting and decorations. The lighting ceremony was first televised on Christmas Eve 1946, but to so few homes that a television and broadcasting committee was formed to expand coverage, with NBC and DuMont both televising the event in 1947.
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Hosted by Mickey Guyton, the 2023 NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING premiered on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 8-9pm ET/PT on CBS. This beloved American tradition, presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, will feature musical performances by Darren Criss, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Renee Rapp, St. Vincent, Joe Walsh and Dionne Warwick, singing holiday classics. Guyton will also perform. In addition to the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse at The White House and President's Park in Washington, D.C., the event will include performances by the United States Coast Guard's Guardians Big Band. This year's ceremony and official lighting took place on Thursday, November 30.