When I was a kid fifty years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt had a bad rap. We learned that way back in the 1900s, he banned Christmas trees from the White House.
What president did not allow Christmas trees?
In 1899 the White House of President William McKinley received letters urging the president to forgo participation in the “Christmas tree habit”.
Did Theodore Roosevelt ban Christmas trees in the White House?
One popular myth suggests that Theodore Roosevelt “banned” Christmas trees at the White House, but there is little evidence to support this beyond the Roosevelts not putting up a tree . ... The Taft children—Robert, Helen, and Charlie—placed the first tree in the Blue Room on the State Floor in 1912.
When did Theodore Roosevelt ban Christmas trees?
So, it's no surprise that on Christmas of 1903 , Teddy declared he was prohibiting the trees that he loved dearly from entering the White House. By declaring the ban, he thought he would set an example for Americans to do the same. However, not all members of the Roosevelt party were thrilled.
Which president started the Christmas tree tradition?
On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge touches a button and lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House grounds. Not only was this the first White House “community” Christmas tree, but it was the first to be decorated with electric lights–a strand of 2,500 red, white and green bulbs.
Which president put up the first Christmas tree in the White House?
President William H. Taft was the first president to have a tree in the public portion of the White House. His children helped him decorate that first tree in the Blue Room.
Why do we write Xmas instead of Christmas?
Xmas (also X-mas) is a common abbreviation of the word Christmas . ... The “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Greek: Χριστός), which became Christ in English. The suffix -mas is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass.
Why did Teddy Roosevelt ban Christmas trees in White House?
Around the internet, there are innumerable articles about how Theodore Roosevelt banned Christmas trees in the White House because of “environmental concerns” only to then have one of his sons rebel and install a small tree , much to his father's surprise. ...
How many Christmas trees are in the White House 2020?
There are 62 Christmas trees , 106 Christmas wreaths, more than 1,200 feet of garland, more than 3,200 strands of lights and 17,000 bows, according to a Monday press release from the White House.
Where is the Christmas tree for the White House coming from?
This year's tree is an 18 and 1/2 foot tall Fraser fir and is from Dan and Bryan Trees, owned by Dan and Anne Taylor, in West Virginia .
Why did England ban Christmas?
In 1647, the Puritan-led English Parliament banned the celebration of Christmas, replacing it with a day of fasting and considering it “a popish festival with no biblical justification”, and a time of wasteful and immoral behaviour. ... James VI commanded its celebration in 1618, but attendance at church was scant.
What is the White House Christmas theme for 2020?
In an official statement, first lady Melania Trump announced this year's theme is “ America the Beautiful ” and unveiled the decorations that adorn the halls and rooms of the White House this season.
Is a Christmas tree a religious symbol?
Christmas trees and menorahs are considered “holiday symbols,” meaning secular. ... Even though Christmas trees once carried religious connotations, the Supreme Court found that a Christmas tree, by itself, is not a religious symbol .
Where did the tradition of the Christmas tree begin?
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.
What is the pagan origin of the Christmas tree?
Pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice. ... “So the idea of bringing evergreens into the house started there and eventually that evolved into the Christmas tree.”
How long does it take to decorate the White House for Christmas?
It takes 10 days overall , but it's Thanksgiving night when decorators and 100 volunteers fully descend on the White House. Getting chosen to decorate the White House is quite the honor—you must apply online, and Rafanelli recalls a diverse pool of people that helped him.
