O CHRISTMAS TREE

                     The tradition of the Christmas Tree began in Germany in the 1600's.  German immigrants and Hessian troops during the Revolution brought the tradition to America.  In fact, legends has it that the Hessian troops were so reminded of home when a tree was candlelit in December of 1776, that they abandoned their posts to celebrate.  That night George Washington and his army attacked and defeated them at the Battle of Trenton, a turning point of the American Revolution.
                     It wasn'tuntil the 1890's that Christmas trees and oranments became a part of the traditional American Christmas.  By then one in five-American families had a Christmas tree.  Twenty years later, the custom was pretty much universal in the United States.
                     The National Christmas Tree stands in Washington DC near the White House.  It was lit for the first time by President Calvin Collidge in 1923.  The tradition has lasted for the past 86 years with little variation.  In 1963, following the assassination of President John Kennedy, the lighting was postponed until the 30 day period of mourning ended.  In 1979, only the star on the top of the National Christmas tree in Washington was lit to honor American hostages in Iran.
                      Another tree, called the "Nation's Christmas Tree" is located in King's Canyon National Park near Sanger, California.  The tree received its official designation in 1925.  It is approximately 267 feet high, 40 feet across its base and is estimated to be between 1500 and 2000 years old.  In 1956 it was also declared a shrine to honor those who served in the US Military.  In their honor, Park Rangers place a wreath at its base during the Christmas ceremony held there every year since 1925.
                      Another very famous tree around Christmas time stands in Rockefeller Center in New York City.  The tradition began in 1931 when construction workers at the Center placed a tree in the dirt at the site.  That year, in the midst of the Great Depression, the tree symbolized not only Christmas but also hope and the invincible human spirit.  The tree was first decorated in 1933, predating the outdoor Skating Rink it overlooks today, by 3 years.  Today more than 25,000 lights grace the tree but there are no ornaments other than the star on top.
                       The idea of electric Christmas lights to replace candles on the Christmas tree belonged to Edward Johnson, an assistant to Thomas Edison.
                        The first American President to bring a Christmas tree into the White House was Franklin Pierce in 1856.
                         Christmas Trees are grown in allof the United States.  An average acre holds about 2,000 trees.  Nearly 80,000 Christmas Trees are planted each year.