Over the weekend, I happily and excitedly put up my Christmas tree. Donned with colorful lights, sparkling bulbs and family ornaments, I thought about how random it is to decorate a tree. Though I love the tradition, it made me wonder where this symbol of holiday cheer originated. So, I went to History.com for a little lesson.
According to the site, the tradition is said to have started in Germany. In the 16th century, protestant reformer, Martin Luther, was out for a stroll one winter evening and loved the way the stars twinkled amidst the evergreen trees. To recreate the beautiful view for his family, he put a tree inside his home and wired candles to the branches.
In the 1830’s, German settlers brought the idea to America, with the first tree of record seen in Pennsylvania. Initially, Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and therefore, were not widely adopted by most Americans. In fact, according to the site, the court of Massachusetts made the observance of Christmas a penal offense.
It wasn’t until Queen Victoria adopted the tradition that Americans accepted it. In 1864, the Queen was photographed with her children around a Christmas tree thus sparking the trend in the U.S. and by 1890 Christmas ornaments were being frequently imported from Germany.
Ever wondered when the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree first went up? Construction workers placed a small, undecorated tree in the center in 1931. Today, the Rockefeller tree has more than 25,000 lights.
