The Capitol Christmas Tree in its modern form has been in existence for over 35 years. Every year since 1970, one lucky state gets chosen to send a Christmas Tree to Washington DC that will grace our nation’s Capitol. The tree is traditionally placed on the western lawn of the Capitol dome where it is lit each night throughout the holiday season.
The Capitol Christmas Tree should be differentiated from the National Christmas Tree. The National Christmas tree is a totally different tree. That tree rests on the Western lawn of the White house during the holiday season.
Each year, the tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments that have been handmade and donated from the State chosen to represent that year’s theme. The theme personifies the State from which the tree is sent, and is meant to symbolize the rich culture and background from that state. The tree is lit with thousands of lights which in recent years have been LED lights. Annually, before the tree is brought to the Capitol, there is a cutting ceremony, and after it arrives, a lighting ceremony as well.
It is a beautiful tree to see, and in every respect it has always been the “People’s Tree”. However, the tradition has not been without controversy at times. The name of the tree and even the ornaments of the tree have been scrutinized and criticized at times.
Controversy Around the Capitol Christmas Tree
Sometime in the late 1990s, the tree was renamed the Capitol Holiday Tree. It continued to be referred to by that name until late 2005. Some have said that it was renamed the Capitol Christmas Tree the day after it arrived that year in Washington DC, and some have reported that it was renamed earlier that year. The details are sketchy, but there is conjecture that the tree was named the Capitol Holiday Tree due to sensitivities around the Separation of Church and State issue, and then later, due to public outcry, the tree was once again named The Capitol Christmas. At any rate, the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was involved in getting it renamed back to its original form.
A similar controversy resurfaced in 2009, when am Arizona school child had submitted handmade ornaments of a religious theme, that were initially denied, but later allowed.
Whatever the reasons for the interludes of controversy, the Capitol Christmas Tree has always remained the “People’s Tree” and is a celebration of the holiday seasons and traditions of American culture for all to see.
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