President Woodrow Wilson insisted that the first tree lighting
be at the Capitol so it would be recognized as a national event.
Wilson and civic leaders planned it for Dec. 24, but Wilson and
other presidents did not at first attend. Newspapers described
the ceremony as a "civic Christmas" with an elaborately costumed
nativity pageant, 1,000 singers and the U.S. Marine Band playing
before an audience of 20,000. 1923 The Ellipse A cut fir tree
was carried to the Ellipse to use as the first "community
Christmas tree." It was lighted by President Calvin Coolidge on
Christmas Eve, 1923. The tree was a gift to the President from
Middlebury College in the President's native State of Vermont.
1924-1933 Sherman Plaza The first living Christmas Tree, a
Norway Spruce, was planted in 1924 in Sherman Plaza, near the
east entrance to the White House. This tree was presented by the
American Forestry Association to President Coolidge and the
nation. In 1925, the first Christmas message and the official
program was first bro