A
Brief History of Christmas Trees
Early
Europeans used evergreen boughs to
decorate their homes at the winter
solstice.
1500s
Christmas trees decorated in the town square in the
capital of Latvia. According to
legend,
Martin Luther first put a
decorated tree in the home.
1600s
Trees commonly decorated with apples in Germany.
1700s
Edible ornaments on trees in Germany. First record of
lit candles on trees in France.
1800s
Christmas trees introduced in US by German settlers.
1846
Queen Victoria and family sketched sitting around a
Christmas tree, leading to its popularity in England.
1851
First Christmas trees sold in US at a market in NY.
1853
First Christmas tree at the Whitehouse.
1882
First electric lights on a Christmas tree by Edward
Johnson, protege of Thomas Edison.
1890s
Glass ornaments arrive in US from Germany. Larger trees
become popular.
1901 First Christmas tree farm in US.
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More
information
hoytarboretum.org
whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml
www.christmas-tree.com/where.html
www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/christmaslights.html
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