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    December 01, 2011

Obama Family Lights National Christmas Tree

   VOA News
   President Barack Obama and his family attend the annual National
   Christmas Tree Lighting
   Photo: AP/Haraz N. Ghanbari
   President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters
   Sasha and Malia attend the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on
   the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, Washington.

   The Christmas season officially came to Washington Thursday when U.S.
   President Barack Obama and his family lit the National Christmas Tree.
   The eight meter tall spruce, covered by blue and green lights and
   topped by a dazzling white star, is standing in its traditional place
   on an area behind the White House called the Ellipse.
   Before throwing the switch to light the tree, Mr. Obama reminded all
   Americans to help those in need this holiday season, including the
   homeless, the hungry, the sick, and shut-ins, regardless of color or
   faith.
   This year's tree is a new one, replacing the old tree which stood since
   1978 before a windstorm blew it down in February.
   This is the 89th year a U.S. president lit up the National Christmas
   Tree, a holiday tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.

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