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" The first recorded reference to the Christmas tree dates back to the 16th century when, in Strasbourg, Germany, families decorated fir trees with colored paper, fruits and sweets during the month of December. The popularity of the Christmas tree grew and grew. Charles Minnegrode introduced tree decorating as a custom in Virginia in 1842, and within 10 years, the first retail Christmas tree lot opened."
In England, Christmas trees were known as early as 1789, though they did not become generally accepted until the 1840s, during the reign of Queen Victoria. The queen's husband, Prince Albert, had family roots in Germany and he set up a tree in 1844 and started a new fad in Britain.
The Germans were also credited with bringing the Christmas tree tradition to America. Many of these men were mercenaries in the Revolutionary War called Hessians, and they probably set up the first trees in this country.
"The Christmas tree was introduced to the voting public in the United States by Franklin Pierce, the 14th U.S. President., after he erected the first ever White House tree. Just a few years later, in 1923, President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which is now held every year on the White House lawn."
SOURCE: The Christmas Almanack p. 152-153.
UPDATED: 4/2006