Celebrating the Spirit of Winter in the USA 🌲
Emitting a warm, inviting glow, the White House in the heart of the USA (United States of America) was recently adorned with an illuminated Christmas tree. President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, took the honor of lighting up the evergreen marvel, marking the commencement of the festive season.
Thousands of enthusiastic visitors, including Americans and tourists, gathered to attend the ceremony on a chilly Thursday evening. President Biden, with a festive countdown from five, signaled the activation of the vibrantly decorated tree's magical lights.
Located in the picturesque Ellipse Park, adjacent to the White House and Washington Monument, this illuminated tree has been a focal point of delight for a century. In fact, the tradition of illuminating the presidential Christmas tree can be traced back to President Calvin Coolidge, who initiated the custom in 1923.
Surviving a brief setback due to the violent icy winds that lashed through the US capital, the massive fir tree swayed and eventually landed on its side. The gusts of wind reached an impressive speed of 60 kilometers per hour. Nevertheless, with the help of a resourceful crane, the tree was restored to its former glory, once again shining brightly.
Other Notable Facts
- Every year, the tradition of lighting up the White House Christmas tree signifies the festive spirit that thrives in Washington, the nation's heart.
- During the Christmas season, the annual lighting ceremony attracts thousands, who come to witness the inauguration of the brilliance that brightens the tree.
- President Biden embodies a commitment to preserving these well-established traditions, following in the footsteps of his predecessors such as President Calvin Coolidge, who first introduced the custom in 1923.
- Overcoming potential obstacles, the loving couple—First Lady Jill Biden—worked tirelessly to assure that the tree, glistening with ornaments and twinkling lights, would once again grace Ellipse Park and fill the hearts of Americans with Christmas cheer.
- At the close of the day, the lights on the Christmas tree - located in front of the White House - illuminate not only the park but the entire nation, embodying unity and a sense of Christmas cheer in the USA.
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Enrichment Insight
The tradition of lighting the Christmas tree at the White House has been ongoing for over a century. Initiated by President Franklin Pierce in 1853, the first president to introduce a Christmas tree at the White House, it wasn't until much later that the tree was actually lit up [5]. The first recorded lighting of a Christmas tree at the White House took place during the presidency of Grover Cleveland in 1889, but the annual tradition didn't become standard until later [2].
