Thousands flocked to the U.S. Capitol for first Christmas tree lighting
On Christmas Eve 1913, over 20,000 spectators gathered at the U.S. Capitol building for the first national Christmas celebration in Washington, DC. After a sunny morning, the Nation’s capital saw increasing cloudiness throughout the afternoon, with a high of 46°F after a low of 34°F. A faint solar halo was observed at 11:05 a.m.—evidence that high cirrus clouds, ahead of a storm system, were present.
A chorus of 1,000 local singers entertained the crowd as the Christmas tree, a 40-foot Norway spruce, came alive with light. Though it had rained 0.61 inches the day prior, spectators were fortunate. The rain held off all Christmas Eve, but resumed on Christmas Day at 10:30 a.m. and continued into the 26th, totaling 1.31 inches. There was no white Christmas in Washington, DC, that year.
Washington, DC, December 1913 Meteorological Observation Form
NCEI is responsible for storing data like these Washington, DC, December 1913 surface weather observations. Our archive of environmental data is the largest in the world, with over 30 petabytes of digital data available to users—that’s equivalent to over 100 years of 24/7 Full HD video recording! A team of experts works to ensure the quality and integrity of these data for present and future generations.
To learn more about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, visit the National Park Service’s History of National Christmas Trees page. And, check out our infographic for an overview of the first national Christmas celebration.
