President Barack Obama and his family lit the tree in a ceremony just after dark Thursday. It's the 89th year for the holiday tree lighting, a tradition that began with President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.
Obama urged the crowd to be generous and to help others in need during the season including "the homeless, the hungry, the sick and shut in."
Obama also welcomed troops returning home in time for the holiday and advised Americans to give "thanks and honor to our troops and our veterans and their families who sacrifice so much for us."
President Barack Obama and his family will light the tree in a ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. This will be the 89th year for the holiday tree lighting. The tradition began with President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.
The new National Christmas Tree was planted on the Ellipse south of the White House in March. It's a 26-foot-tall Colorado blue spruce from a New Jersey tree nursery. The previous tree stood on the Ellipse since 1978. It was toppled in February by strong winds.
Carson Daly will host the lighting ceremony, which will include performances from Big Time Rush and Ellie Goulding and appearances by Kermit the Frog and Santa Claus.
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