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National Christmas Tree (United States)

1923 establishments in Washington, D.C.1923 introductions2010s individual tree deathsChristmas in Washington, D.C.Harv and Sfn no-target errors
Individual Christmas treesIndividual trees in the District of ColumbiaNational symbols of the United States
2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting (2274716e 44a5 4680 9b53 854791d496b2)
2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting (2274716e 44a5 4680 9b53 854791d496b2)

The National Christmas Tree is a large evergreen tree located in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C. Each year since 1923, the tree has been decorated as a Christmas tree. Every year, early in December, the tree is traditionally lit by the President of the United States and the First Lady of the United States. Every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt also made formal remarks during the tree lighting ceremony. Since 1954, the event has marked the start of month-long festivities known as the Pageant of Peace. Smaller trees representing the U.S. states, District of Columbia, and the five territories around the National Christmas Tree are referred to as the Pathway to Peace.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article National Christmas Tree (United States) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

National Christmas Tree (United States)
Ellipse Road Northwest, Washington

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Latitude Longitude
N 38.894861111111 ° E -77.036305555556 °
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National Christmas Tree

Ellipse Road Northwest
20500 Washington
District of Columbia, United States
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2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting (2274716e 44a5 4680 9b53 854791d496b2)
2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting (2274716e 44a5 4680 9b53 854791d496b2)
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1974 White House helicopter incident
1974 White House helicopter incident

On February 17, 1974, United States Army Private Robert K. Preston took off in a stolen Bell UH-1B Iroquois "Huey" helicopter from Tipton Field, Maryland, and landed it on the South Lawn of the White House in a significant breach of security. Preston had enlisted in the Army to become a helicopter pilot. However, he did not graduate from the helicopter training course and lost his opportunity to attain the rank of warrant officer pilot. His enlistment bound him to serve four years in the Army, and he was sent to Fort Meade as a helicopter mechanic. Preston believed that this situation was unfair and later said that he stole the helicopter to show his skill as a pilot. Shortly after midnight, Preston, on leave, was returning to Tipton Field, south of Fort Meade. Thirty helicopters at the base were fueled and ready to fly; he took off in one without anti-collision lights on or making the standard radio calls. The Maryland State Police were alerted. Preston flew southwest toward Washington, D.C., where he hovered close to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and over the South Lawn of the White House. He then flew back toward Fort Meade, with two Bell 206 JetRanger police helicopters and police cars in pursuit. After a chase over Maryland, he reversed course toward Washington again and entered the White House grounds. This time, the Secret Service opened fire. Preston was lightly wounded, landed the helicopter, and was arrested and held in custody. Preston pleaded guilty to "wrongful appropriation and breach of the peace" in the plea bargain at his court-martial. He was sentenced to one year in prison, six months of which was time served, and a fine of US$2,400 (equivalent to $13,187 in 2021). After his release, Preston received a general discharge from the army, then lived a quiet life, married, and died of cancer in 2009.