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U.S. Capitol

Washington tradition: U.S Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony

Sean Dougherty David Baratz Di'Amond Moore Robert Hanashiro
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony lights the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to serve as this year's Capitol Christmas Tree, which was first placed in 1964.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony lights the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to serve as this year's Capitol Christmas Tree, which was first placed in 1964.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Members of the Lumberjack Express marching band from Richwood High School in Richwood, W. Va., sit before the start of U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Washington.
Members of the Lumberjack Express marching band from Richwood High School in Richwood, W. Va., sit before the start of U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein, AP
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., talks with attendees before the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Washington.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., talks with attendees before the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein, AP
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) at the lighting of the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) at the lighting of the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), at the lighting of the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Over 5,000 ornaments made by kids and volunteers from the treeÕs home state cover the spruce.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), at the lighting of the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Over 5,000 ornaments made by kids and volunteers from the treeÕs home state cover the spruce.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), back left, and his wife Kelly Johnson, second from back left, watch as the Richwood High School Band from Richwood, WV performs prior to the lighting of the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), back left, and his wife Kelly Johnson, second from back left, watch as the Richwood High School Band from Richwood, WV performs prior to the lighting of the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Ethan Reese, the official Youth Tree Lighter, a fourth grade student from Randolph County, West Virginia, speaks before helping Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), left, and Kelly Johnson light the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to serve as this year's Capitol Christmas Tree.
Ethan Reese, the official Youth Tree Lighter, a fourth grade student from Randolph County, West Virginia, speaks before helping Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), left, and Kelly Johnson light the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to serve as this year's Capitol Christmas Tree.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Ethan Reese, the official Youth Tree Lighter, a fourth grade student from Randolph County, West Virginia, along with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), left, and Kelly Johnson light the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Ethan Reese, the official Youth Tree Lighter, a fourth grade student from Randolph County, West Virginia, along with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), left, and Kelly Johnson light the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony lights the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to serve as this year's Capitol Christmas Tree. The lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a time-honored tradition of more than 50 years.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony lights the 63-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to serve as this year's Capitol Christmas Tree. The lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a time-honored tradition of more than 50 years.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
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