The National Christmas Tree

This stamp issued on November 1, 1963 shows the National Christmas Tree with the White House in the background. The first tree decorated for the holiday season was lit in 1923. The idea of an outdoor national Christmas tree originated with Frederick Morris Feiker, formally of General Electric, who joined the United States Dept. of Commerce during the Calvin Coolidge administration, as a way to promote the use of electric Christmas lights and the use of electricity.

Each year an evergreen tree is decorated on the Ellipse in Washington, DC near the White House. In 1954 the affair became more elaborate with the establishment of a month-long celebration known as the "Pageant of Peace." In it, smaller trees and decorations representing the states and territories of the United States lead to the larger National Christmas Tree forming a "Pathway to Peace."

This stamp is only the second one issued for use during the Christmas season and was was first placed on sale through the Santa Claus, Indiana, post office.