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TWO: Coolidge’s Electrified Christmas Tree
On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge touched a button, and something never seen before happened: The first electric national Christmas tree illuminated and graced the White House grounds.
A long strand of 2,500 (some sources say up to 3,000) red, white, and green bulbs punctuated the tree’s spirit as on-lookers watched as the first community tree by the White House was electrified and truly electric. The balsam fir came from Coolidge’s home state of Vermont and stood towering 48 feet tall.
On this historic Christmas Eve evening more than 6,000 people gathered to sing carols and listen to the U.S. Marine Band who performed near the tree. Since then, the Christmas tree lighting has become a national tradition, doing away with only ornaments and candles. At this turning point, the national tree would experience many variations, with the option of electrified lights.
At this juncture in history, Coolidge is known for initiating the collaboration between the White House and innovations for the decoration of the tree.
Until 1903, when General Electric began to offer pre-assembled kits of Christmas lights, stringed lights were reserved for the wealthy and…
