President Coolidge (center) illuminating the community Christmas
tree, south of the White House.

On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge presses a button and
lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House
grounds.

Not only was this the first White House “community” Christmas tree, but
it was the first to be decorated with electric lights–a strand of 2,500 red,
white and green bulbs. The balsam fir came from Coolidge’s home state
of Vermont and stood 48 feet tall. Several musical groups performed at
the tree-lighting ceremony, including the Epiphany Church choir and the
U.S. Marine Band. Later that evening, President Coolidge and first lady
Grace were treated to carols sung by members of Washington, D.C.’s
First Congregational Church.

President Coolidge and the first lady Grace.

The Washington Monument is seen in the background.

John Calvin Coolidge Jr.
(July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933)         
        
        
        
        
First Lady Melania Trump, joined by President Donald J. Trump,
lights the 2019 National Christmas Tree during the 97th annual
National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Thursday, Dec. 5,
2019, on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. 
        
        
       

“Ladies’ Home Journal”

Cracker Jack is a brand of snack food consisting of molasses-flavored,
caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged
with a prize of trivial value inside. The Cracker Jack name and slogan,
"The More You Eat The More You Want", were registered in 1896. Some
food historians consider it the first junk food.

   
    
    

SANDY KOZEL

 
It’s a Wonderful Life, a 1946 Christmas fantasy drama film produced and
directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, premiered in New
York on this day. The film is one of the most beloved in American cinema,
and has become traditional viewing during the Christmas season. It is 
now considered one of the greatest films of all time. It was nominated
for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and had been\ rated
as one of the 100 best American films ever made by the American Film
Institute.

        Frank Russell Capra             James "Jimmy" Maitland Stewart
(May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997)      (May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991)