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View Full Version : Good Morning...Silent Cal Begins Presidential Yuletide Tradition



Okla-homey
12/24/2008, 06:53 AM
December 24, 1923: Coolidge lights first national Christmas tree

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Calvin Coolidge. (July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933) was the thirtieth President of the United States (1923–1929). A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state. His actions during the Boston Police Strike of 1919 thrust him into the national spotlight. Soon after, he was elected as the twenty-ninth Vice President in 1920 and succeeded to the Presidency upon the death of Warren G. Harding. Elected in his own right in 1924, he gained a reputation as a small-government conservative. The stony Vermonter was called "Silent Cal" because he simply didn't talk much. Remarking on his own silence, he once said, "I have never been hurt by what I have not said. "


85 years ago, on this day in 1923, President Calvin Coolidge touches a button and lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House grounds.

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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.


Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of my administration has been minding my own business. - Calvin Coolidge

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.

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According to the White House Historical Association, President Benjamin Harrison was the first president to set up an indoor Christmas tree for his family and visitors to enjoy in 1889. It was decorated with ornaments and candles.


Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery. - Calvin Coolidge

In 1929, first lady Lou Henry Hoover oversaw what would become an annual tradition of decorating the indoor White House tree. Since then, each first lady’s duties have included the trimming of the official White House tree.

Coolidge’s "inauguration" of the first outdoor national Christmas tree initiated a tradition that has been repeated with every administration. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan (peace be upon him) began another custom by authorizing the first official White House ornament, copies of which were made available for purchase.


Four-fifths of all our troubles would disappear, if we would only sit down and keep still. - Calvin Coolidge

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Coolidge was popular with American Indians. In 1924, he signed the Indian Citizenship Act which granted US citizenship to American Indians. Before 1924, they were considered more or less as "resident aliens," which is somewhat ironic if you think about it.

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BigRedJed
12/24/2008, 03:53 PM
Thanks Homey.

SicEmBaylor
12/24/2008, 03:55 PM
Calvin Coolidge had more respect for the proper Constitutional role of the Federal government than any President in the 20th century and that includes Reagan. He was absolutely one of our finest.