President Franklin D Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill light the US National Christmas Tree in 1941

History Nuggets: FDR lights White House Christmas after declaring war

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“President Franklin D. Roosevelt (standing) and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (right) speak from the south portico of the White House while lighting the official tree on Christmas Eve, 1941.”  Imagine the heavy hearts and trepidation for the world at this time.

Although the war began with Nazi Germany’s attack on Poland in September 1939, the United States did not enter the war until after the Japanese bombed the American fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.  The United States declared war against Japan the next day, December 8, 1941.

Inspirational photo by White House Archives

 

Official 2016 White House Ornament - Fire Truck Pumper

History Nuggets: 1929 Christmas Eve Fire in the White House

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In 1929 a fire broke out on Christmas Eve in the White House during a party for staff and their children.   As flames licked the walls of West Wing offices, 130 firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. The next year, President Herbert Hoover sent toy fire trucks to some of his young guests.

The 2016  Official White House Christmas Ornament was a replica of the many “pumpers”that worked furiously from hydrants up to five blocks away from the White House to supply the water necessary to combat the flames.

Photo by the White House Historical Society

Vintage Christmas compliments of Pinterest. Table tree with candles lite and children playing around their toys and the tree.

History Nuggets: 1889 First White House Christmas Tree

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President Benjamin Harrison and his family introduced the first indoor White House Christmas tree in the upstairs oval room, the family’s private parlor.  The White House at this point lacked electrical power, so the family decorated their tree with candles…as many did.   The People’s House received electricity in 1891.

Benjamin Harrison, (1833 – 1901), 23rd President of the United States  and  the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, created the only grandfather-grandson duo to hold the office.

What was happening in 1889?…Eiffel Tower opens, commemorates French Revolution…Dakotas, Montana and Washington admitted to the union…Bayer introduces aspirin in powder form (Germany).

Inspiring photo by Pinterest

Photo of a child dragging a christmas tree compliments of Pinterest

History Nuggets: 1903 – Christmas tree smuggled inside the White House

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President Theodore Roosevelt and his wife hosted a carnival at the White House for more than 500 children. They served a favorite of many past presidents — ice cream molded into the shape of Santa Claus. President Roosevelt did not approve of chopping down evergreens, so he banned them from the White House. However, his son smuggled in a tree and hid it in the sewing closet.

Theodore Roosevelt, 1858 – 1919, the 26th president of the United States (1901–09).

Inspirational photo by Pinterest

A snowball glistening in the sun

History Nuggets: White House snowball fight

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Christmas in 1834 brought no snow to Washington, DC. However, that did not stop President Andrew Jackson from having a snowball fight inside the White House for his children and his friends children. The party was lively with dinner, games and singing…ending with throwing snowballs made of cotton on the ready for a friendly rumpus.

What was happening in 1834?…In August…Slavery abolished throughout the British Empire…In October…1st black to obtain a U.S. patent, Henry Blair, for a corn planter…In November… Delmonico’s, one of New York’s finest restaurants, provides a meal of soup, steak, coffee and half a pie for 12 cents.

Puffy sparrow in the cold air

Cinquain: Winter birds

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Fluff up
Puff up feathers
Birds will ruffle feathers
Downy feathers insulating
Warming

Cinquain by PamelaWLucas 11/27/17

Inspirational photo by Tara McLaughlin 11/17

Sunbeams shine through autumn's trees

Uncomplicated: Good thoughts

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“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. –Roald Dahl, Matilda

Inspirational photo by Pixabay

Swallowtail butterfly nectaring on a golden zinnia

Uncomplicated thoughts: You can

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“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” —J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Inspiring photo by Tara McLaughlin

a fall sunset showing off migrating birds in flight

Cinquain: The journey

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each year

weather changes

scarce summer crops signal

instinct sets the fall migration

safe home

Cinquain by PamelaWLucas 11/24/17

Inspiration photo by Pixabay

A glade very green and lush, looking like a mystical place

Uncomplicated thoughts: Magic

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“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Roald Dahl

This quote is from Roald Dahl’s last children’s story, “The Minpins.”  In fact it is the very last line of that very last story.

Inspirational photo by Pixabay