U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony Thursday night on the Ellipse, south of the White House.

“During this season of reflection,” Biden said, “may we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency.”

The president said the event is a favorite of his wife’s and that she was sorry to miss this year’s event. First lady Jill Biden is in Qatar for her initiative on women’s health.

Country singing star Mickey Guyton hosted this year’s event.

The tree lighting was launched in 1923 when first lady Grace Coolidge allowed the District of Columbia Public Schools to erect a 48-foot balsam fir on the Ellipse. Three thousand people attended the ceremony that year when President Calvin Coolidge lit the tree, which came from Middlebury College in Vermont.

This year’s tree, a 30-foot red spruce from Virginia, is anchored by steel cables after strong winds blew over last year’s tree.

Americans from every U.S. state and territory and the District of Columbia create the one-of-a-kind ornaments that adorn the tree as it glows with thousands of lights.

Trisha Yearwood, James Taylor, Stephen Sanchez and Trombone Shorty were among the musical guests who performed at this year’s holiday event.

The show will be broadcast on December 20 on CBS-TV.
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