The History of Christmas Trees

Early peoples decorated with evergreen boughs and other greenery during the Winter Solstice to ward off evil and symbolize hope for the coming spring. But the tradition of the Christmas tree did not begin in earnest until 16^th century Germany, when devout Christians first brought decorated trees into their homes. The practice quickly spread throughout Europe, but Christmas trees did not become popular in America until the mid-1800s due to the persistent Puritan view that Christmas trees were Pagan symbols. However, as more people immigrated to America, public sentiment began to change, and in 1931, the first Christmas tree was displayed at Rockefeller Center.