Society

WATCH: President Donald Trump, Melania Trump lead the lighting of the National Christmas Tree

Thursday, November 29, 2018
President Donald Trump led a countdown for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on Wednesday, and first lady Melania Trump hit the switch.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the nation's capital.

President Donald Trump led a countdown for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on Wednesday, and first lady Melania Trump hit the switch to illuminate the decked-out spruce in President's Park, just south of the White House.



PHOTOS: White House Christmas decorations
Topiary trees line the East colonnade during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
The official White House Christmas tree is seen in the Blue Room during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
A replica from a previous Donald J. Trump Administration state dinner is seen in the China Room during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House.none
An ornament with an image of President George Washington is seen during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
The Official 2018 White House Christmas Ornament is seen during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
A wreath made of "Be Best" pencils is seen in the Red Room during a 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
An ornament with images of the Southwest and the Intermountain West hangs on a tree in the East Room to highlight the diversity and ingenuity of American architecture and design.none
The Red Room, with the theme to celebrate America's Children, is seen during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
A detail of the official White House Christmas tree is seen in the Blue Room during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
The Cross Hall is seen during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
Grand Foyer and Cross Hall leading into the Blue Room and the official White House Christmas tree are seen during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington.none
The official White House Christmas tree is seen in the Blue Room during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
The base of the official White House Christmas tree is seen in the Blue Room during the 2018 Christmas Press Preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
The gingerbread house, showcasing the full expanse of the National Mall: the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and, the White House.none
The First Family's official Christmas ornament is seen during the press preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
Grand Foyer and Cross Hall are seen during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none
The First Family's holiday card is seen behind glass in Booksellers during the 2018 Christmas preview at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.none


"Merry Christmas, everybody," the president said. "We just have to say it all together: Merry, merry Christmas."

It's the 96th straight year for the presidential tradition.

Speaking at the close of the event, which featured musical performances from LOCASH, Spensha Baker, Gabby Barrett, Abby Anderson and others, Trump paused to recognize the victims of disasters across the country this year.

"Our thoughts turn to those who are rebuilding their lives after devastating wildfires, destructive hurricanes and terrible tragedy," he said. "We are one American family, and we hurt together, and we heal together, and we will always pull through together."
Trump also honored foster families in attendance, first responders, as well as members of the military and their loved ones.

"Their families are all our families," he said.

The president's children Don Jr. and Tiffany, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, Don Jr.'s girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke were also in attendance.

PHOTOS: The National Christmas Tree lighting through the years

President Franklin Roosevelt is shown above at Christmas-tree lighting ceremony Dec. 24, 1939 in Washington.none
Starred with many lights is this national Christmas tree which was set a twinkling on the White House grounds at ceremonies in Washington on Dec. 24, 1940 in which F.D.R. shared.none
President Dwight Eisenhower shakes hands with Elizabeth Lamphere, 17-year-old girl scout, after lighting the National Christmas Tree on Dec. 23, 1958.none
President Eisenhower, right, faces the National Christmas Tree as he lighted it in Washington formally opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace on Dec. 23, 1960.none
Amy Carter stands with President Jimmy Carter on a stage at the Ellipse in Washington Thursday, Dec. 16, 1977, after he pushed a button illuminating the National Christmas Tree.none
President Jimmy Carter and daughter Amy look on after they pushed the button that turned on the lights of the National Christmas Tree on Dec. 14, 1978.none
President Jimmy Carter waves after he and his daughter Amy pressed the button that turned on the lights of the National Christmas Tree on Dec. 15, 1978.none
The National Christmas Tree is shown being lighted by President Jimmy Carter and daughter Amy on the Ellipse in Washington on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1978.none
President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton stand in front of the National Christmas Tree after the first family pushed the button to light the tree, Dec. 9, 1993.none
The National Christmas Tree shines brightly Thursday, Dec. 7, 1995 on the Ellipse in Washington. A zoom lens technique was used to produce this photograph.none
With the White House in the background, the National Christmas Tree sits aglow on the Ellipse in Washington Thursday, Dec. 5, 1996.none
The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is official lighted in Washington DC. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1998.none
The national Christmas Tree and the Washington Monument as seen at dusk from the south lawn of the White House Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999.none
The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House after being lit at the annual Pageant of Peace tree lighting ceremony in Washington, Monday, Dec. 11, 2000.none
The National Christmas Tree is lit up, opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace Thursday, Dec 4, 2003.none
The National Christmas tree is seen in The Ellipse in front of the White House after the annual tree lighting ceremony in Washington Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004.none
The National Christmas Tree is seen in front of the White House following its lighting during the 2005 Christmas Pageant of Peace, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005.none
The National Christmas Tree is lit at the Ellipse, near the White House, left, during a ceremony marking the beginning of a three-week Christmas Pageant of Peace, Dec. 7, 2006.none
The National Christmas Tree shines bright with the White House in the background in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2007.none
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush are joined by Lindsey Van Horn, left, and Kayleigh Kepler, right, during the lighting ceremony on Dec. 4, 2008.none
This Dec. 4, 2008 photo shows the National Christmas Tree, near the White House in Washington, illuminated during a ceremony.none
The White House is seen in the background after the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, in Washington.none
President Barack Obama and his family attend the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse, just south of the White House, in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010.none
The National Christmas Tree is pictured with the White House in the background after it was lit on the Ellipse across from the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec., 1, 2011.none
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama and Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson, participate in the ceremony on Dec. 6, 2012.none
President Barack Obama, right, with, first lady Michelle Obama, left, and daughters Malia and Sasha, participate in the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4, 2014.none
President Barack Obama, with Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha, sing with Santa Claus and others during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree.none
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree on Dec. 1, 2016.none
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, cheer after lighting the 2017 National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse.none
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, speaks during the 2018 National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington.none


The first lighting took place on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of 3,000 spectators.

The National Christmas Tree is a living Colorado blue spruce. It is surrounded by 56 smaller trees featuring ornaments from every state and territory and the District of Columbia.

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