1991

White lighting was created with 2,500 clear lights. Six halogen floodlights were placed on the ground to add sparkle from hundreds of white ornaments and garland. Alternating rows of red and blue, separated by fields of white, created a patriotic effect using 2400 red and blue lights.

President George Bush was joined for the tree lighting by Terry Anderson, the last hostage to be released from Lebanon, and four other former hostages -- Allann Steen, Thomas Sutherland, Joseph Cicippio and Jesse Turner.

An estimated crowd of 12,000 attended the opening ceremony on December 12, 1991.

[Scanned from original photographic slide.]