"The White House hasn't always marked the Festival of Lights with menorah lightings and musical performances. Official Christmas celebrations date back to the 1800s, but celebrating Hanukkah at the White House is a fairly recent development in US history. President John Adams hosted the first White House Christmas party in 1800, and President Calvin Coolidge held the first National Christmas Tree lighting in 1923. Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of choosing a theme for the White House Christmas decorations in 1961."
"Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Hanukkah with a menorah lighting in 1979. The first official White House Hanukkah party took place in 2001, hosted by George W. Bush. Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump have continued to host Hanukkah receptions. Still, the first official White House Hanukkah reception wasn't held until 2001. Take a look at the fascinating history of how the White House Hanukkah party came to be."
Hanukkah recognition at the White House is a relatively recent practice compared with long-standing Christmas traditions. The White House first acknowledged Hanukkah with a menorah lighting under Jimmy Carter in 1979. The first official White House Hanukkah reception occurred in 2001 and was hosted by George W. Bush, with Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden continuing to host Hanukkah events. White House Christmas observances date to the early republic, with John Adams hosting a Christmas party in 1800 and Calvin Coolidge initiating the National Christmas Tree lighting in 1923; Jacqueline Kennedy began themed holiday decorations in 1961.
Read at Business Insider
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