The Christmas Tree Tradition
The tree, Used as a Symbol of life; Is a tradition older Than Christianity itself. Egyptians brought Green palm branches Into their homes on the Shortest day of the year in December As a symbol of life's triumph over death. The Romans would Adorn their homes With evergreens during Saturnalia, Their winter festival to honor Saturnus, Their god of agriculture. The Druid priests decorated oak trees with golden apples For their winter solstice festivities. During the middle ages, The Paradise tree, an evergreen hung with red apples, Was the symbol of the feast of Adam and Eve Held on December 24th. The first recorded reference to the Christmas tree Dates back to the 16th century. In Strasbourg, Germany which is now part of France; Families both rich and poor Decorated fir trees with colored paper, Fruits and sweets. As the tradition spread through Europe It was then brought to the United States by German settlers And Hessian mercenaries who were paid to fight in the Revolutionary War. In 1804 U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) Hauled trees from surrounding woods to their barracks at Christmas. The popularity of the Christmas tree proliferated When Charles Minnegrode introduced the custom of decorating trees In Williamsburg, Virginia in 1842. In 1851 Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds loaded With trees from the Catskills to the streets of New York And opened the fire retail christmas tree lot in the United States. Franklin Pierce the 14th President, In 1923 President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Which is now held every year on the White House lawn. Since 1966 members of the National Christmas Tree Association Have presented a fresh Christmas tree to the President and is family The tree is displayed Each year in the Blue Room of the White House.
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