PRESS RELEASE:

On the evening of December 9 the 87th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting provides an opportunity for Americans to come together to celebrate the season and to share the message of peace. KUED Channel 7 airs this special event on Sunday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Offering a diverse program of traditional holiday music, this year's entertainers include B.B. King, Sara Bareilles, Common and Maroon 5. A message of peace to the nation and the world will be delivered by President Barack Obama. This year, the National Park Foundation selected one artist and youth group from each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia to design and create 26 ornaments which will decorate the tree.

One of our country's oldest holiday traditions, the National Christmas Tree Lighting began on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of a few thousand spectators. In 1978, National Park Service horticulturalists searched for a perfect tree whose life had started under similar environmental conditions as those of Washington, D.C., and a tree that would be healthy and strong enough to survive a move to the White House. They found the tree in York, Pennsylvania at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Myers. It appeared to be the perfect shape and size, with no disease, and living in just the right soil. The tree had been planted by the Myers' grandchildren as a Mother's Day gift for Mrs. Myers. When the Myers agreed to let the tree go to become the nation's Christmas tree, Mrs. Myers fed the workers homemade soup as they prepared the tree for its journey to the capital.