Capitol Christmas Tree
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2008-02-07T11:46:30Z
DumZiBoT
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Bot: Converting [[User:DumZiBoT/refLinks|bare references]]
[[Image:Capitol Christmas Tree - Dec 6, 2006.jpg|300px|thumb|Capitol Christmas Tree, 2006]]
The '''Capitol Christmas Tree''' (formerly the '''Capitol Holiday Tree''') is the [[Christmas tree|decorated tree]] that is erected annually at the [[United States Capitol]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] to celebrate the [[Winter holiday season|Christmas holiday season]].
A tree was first displayed in 1964, at the request of Speaker of the House [[John William McCormack|John W. McCormack]]<ref name="caparch">[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees] from the website of the [[Architect of the Capitol]]</ref>. This first tree was a live [[Douglas-fir]], purchased from a nursery. It was re-decorated for the next three Christmas seasons. After it died, [[Eastern White Pine|white pines]] were cut down in Maryland and put on display for the 1968 and 1969 seasons. Beginning in [[1970]], trees have been provided by the [[United States Forest Service|U.S. Forest Service]].
The ''Capitol Christmas Tree'' is traditionally lighted at 5:00pm EST on [[9 December]] through to [[New Year's Day]].
==Trees==
{{expand list}} <!-- info for expansion available at <ref name="caparch"> -->
*2007: 60-foot [[Balsam Fir]] from [[Green Mountain National Forest]] in [[Rutland, Vermont]]<ref>[http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071124/NEWS/711240318 Milford greets D.C.-bound yule tree - poconorecord.com - The Pocono Record<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*2006: 65-foot [[Pacific Silver Fir]] from [[Olympic National Forest]] in [[Washington]]<ref>[http://www.capitolchristmastree2006.org/ The 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree website]</ref>
*2005: 80-foot [[Engelmann Spruce]] from the [[Santa Fe National Forest]] in [[Cuba, New Mexico]]<ref>[http://www.capitolholidaytree2005.net/ The 2005 Capitol Christmas Tree website]</ref>
*2004: 70-foot [[Red Spruce]] from the [[George Washington National Forest]] in [[Highland County, Virginia]]<ref>[http://www.capitolholidaytree2004.org/ The 2004 Capitol Holiday Tree website]</ref>
*2003: 70-foot Engelmann Spruce from the [[Boise National Forest]] in [[Idaho]]<ref name="caparch" />
*2002: 70-foot [[Douglas-fir]] from [[Oregon]]'s [[Umpqua National Forest]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/2002tree.cfm The 2002 Capitol Holiday Tree website]</ref>
*2001: 72-foot [[White Spruce]] from [[Ottawa National Forest]] in the western [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/2001tree.cfm The 2001 Capitol Holiday Tree website]</ref>
*2000: 65-foot [[Blue Spruce|Colorado Spruce]] from [[Colorado]]'s [[Pike National Forest]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/2000tree.cfm The 2000 Capitol Holiday Tree website]</ref>
*1999: 60-foot [[White Spruce]] from [[Wisconsin]]'s [[Nicolet National Forest]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/1999tree.cfm The 1999 Capitol Holiday Tree website]</ref>
*1998: 50-foot [[Fraser Fir]] from the [[Pisgah National Forest]] in western [[North Carolina]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/1998tree.cfm The 1998 Capitol Christmas Tree website]</ref>
*1997: 63-foot [[Black Hills Spruce]] from the [[Black Hills National Forest]] in [[South Dakota]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1996: 75-foot [[Engelmann Spruce]] from the [[Manti-LaSal National Forest]] in [[Utah]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1995: 60-foot [[Douglas Fir]] from the [[Plumas National Forest]] in [[California]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1994: 58-foot [[Balsam Fir]] from the [[Green Mountain National Forest]] in [[Vermont]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1993: 65-foot [[White Fir]] from the [[San Bernardino National Forest]] in [[California]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1992: 62-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Chippewa National Forest]] in [[Minnesota]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1991: 60-foot [[Blue Spruce]] from the [[Carson National Forest]] in [[New Mexico]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1990: 65-foot [[Engelmann Spruce]] from the [[Routt National Forest]] in [[Colorado]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1989: 60-foot [[Engelmann Spruce]] from the Kootenai National Forest]] in [[Montana]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1988: 50-foot [[Balsam Fir]] from the [[Manistee National Forest]] in [[Michigan]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1987: 60-foot [[Norway Spruce]] from the [[Wayne-Hoosier National Forest]] in [[Ohio]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1986: 54-foot [[Shasta Red Fir]] from the [[Klamath National Forest]] in [[California]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1985: 56-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Ottawa National Forest]] in [[Michigan]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1984: 58-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Superior National Forest]] in [[Minnesota]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1983: 52-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Chequamegon National Forest]] in [[Wisconsin]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1982: 50-foot [[Balsam Fir]] from the [[Riley Bostwich Wildlife Management Area]] in [[Vermont]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1981: 50-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Hiawatha National Forest]] in [[Michigan]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1980: 48-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Green Mountain National Forest]] in [[Vermont]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1979: 52-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Nicolet National Forest]] in [[Wisconsin]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1978: 60-foot [[Norway Spruce]] from the [[Savage River State Forest]] in [[Maryland]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1977: 52-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Nemadji State Forest]] in [[Minnesota]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1976: 41-foot [[Red Spruce]] from the [[Monongahela National Forest]] in [[West Virginia]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1975: 41-foot [[Balsam Fir]] from the [[Ottawa National Forest]] in [[Michigan]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1974: 41-foot [[Fraser Fir]] from the [[Pisgah National Forest]] in [[North Carolina]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1973: 51-foot [[White Spruce]] from the [[Allegheny National Forest]] in [[Pennsylvania]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1972: 50-foot [[Balsam Fir]] from the [[Tennessee National Forest]] in [[Pennsylvania]]<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1971: 45-foot [[Black Spruce]] from the [[White Mountain National Forest]] in [[New Hampshire]] <ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm The AOC Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees website]</ref>
*1970: 40-foot [[Norway Spruce]] from the [[Monongahela National Forest]] in [[West Virginia]]<ref name="caparch" />
*1969: 40-foot white pine from [[Westminster, Maryland]]<ref name="caparch" />
*1968: 30-foot "tree" assembled from two white pines from [[Finksburg, Maryland]]<ref name="caparch" />
*1964-7: live 24-foot Douglas-fir purchased from a nursery in [[Birdsboro, Pennsylvania]]<ref name="caparch" />
==Name controversy==
In [[1999]], the ''Capitol Christmas Tree'' was renamed to the ''Capitol Holiday Tree''. There was never an explanation as to why the name change occurred, but it raised controversy in the 2004 Christmas holiday season, and especially in 2005.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
On [[30 November]], [[2005]], the tree was renamed the ''Capitol Christmas Tree'' due to threats of legal action{{Fact|date=February 2007}} and complaints forwarded from a member of the Senate to [[Dennis Hastert]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
==References==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
{{Christmas}}
[[Category:United States Capitol]]
[[Category:Christmas trees]]