1979 Was the first time in 56 years that the nation's Christmas Tree remained dark throughout the Christmas season. Only the top ornament was lit.

This gesture was made by President Carter in honor of the Americans being held hostage in Iran.

The Pageant theme that year was "Joy and Light" to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Thomas Edison's success in bringing the world out of darkness into light through his invention of the light bulb in 1879.

[Scanned from original photographic slide.]