Starting in 1954, the National Christmas Tree has been the centerpiece of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, which was organized by a group of Washington community leaders [the Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Citizen's Committee] as a means of emphasizing America's desire to maintain peace around the world through the spirit and meaning of Christmas.

President Eisenhower, in the 2nd year ofhis first term, lit the first Pageant of Peace tree given by the people of Michigan.

For many years fresh trees were cut each year and brought to Washington, DC to be decorated for the annual celebration.

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