History Daily 1276: America’s First National Christmas Tree
Dec 24, 2025
Discover the origins of America's first national Christmas tree, inaugurated by President Coolidge on December 24, 1923. Learn about the campaign led by Lucretia Walker Hardy that helped make the tree a public spectacle. Explore how a Vermont fir became a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity during WWII when Roosevelt and Churchill lit it to unite the nation. Also, find out about Eisenhower's festive revival of this beloved tradition in 1954, expanding it into the enchanting Pageant of Peace.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How The First National Tree Began
- Lucretia Walker Hardy petitioned the White House to create a public Christmas display after WWI and the flu pandemic.
- Her campaign, backed by electric companies and a Vermont senator, led to the first national tree lighting on Dec 24, 1923.
Compromise Preserved Presidential Link
- Administrative compromise placed the national tree on the Ellipse, not the White House lawn, but ensured presidential involvement.
- That compromise preserved symbolic presidential connection while accommodating the First Lady's planned event.
Electricity Shaped A Holiday Tradition
- The Society for Electrical Development used the tree as a demonstration to normalize electric lighting in homes.
- Linking the president to the display amplified the technology's cultural and commercial impact.