The 1931 tree, courtesy of Tishman Speyer

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, considered the “ worldwide symbol of Christmas ,” will be lit on Wednesday, marking the 93rd tree lighting ceremony. Ahead, learn about the history of the iconic spruce, from its start as a modest Depression-era pick-me-up for Rockefeller Center construction workers to World War regulations to its current 900-pound Swarovski star.

An interesting point to note is that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was, in fact, not the first public Christmas tree in New York City. That distinction goes to the Madison Square Park tree that was erected in 1912 as a social affair that brought the joy of a holiday tree to those without the means to have one in their home (this was an expensive endeavor at the time).

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