On Thursday, the US national Christmas tree was lit by President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. The traditional ceremony in front of the White House went smoothly after the already decorated pine tree was blown down by the wind two days earlier (see video).
The Bidens celebrated the ceremony at the start of the holidays on Thursday evening together with numerous visitors. Biden counted down from five before the festively decorated fir tree began to shine.
The illuminated tree is located in Ellipse Park between the White House and the Washington Monument. The president turning on the lights has been a tradition in Washington for a hundred years. President Calvin Coolidge first lit a Christmas tree in 1923.
Christmas tree fell during storm
The decorated pine tree toppled on Tuesday as icy winds gripped the US capital. The wind gusts reached speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. The enormous tree lay on its side for a while and was eventually put back upright with a crane. National Christmas trees have been blown down by the wind in the past, the last time was in 2011.
Source: Krone
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