The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree draws throngs of people to Midtown each year to celebrate the holidays. The tradition started in the 1930s, when construction workers at Rockefeller Center pooled their money to buy a tree. Officials at Rockefeller Center later formalized the event, especially today’s lighting ceremony, which will be attended by thousands of onlookers. Each year’s tree is selected by the head gardener at Rockefeller Center and topped with a huge star adorned with Swarovski crystals. This year, the tree introduces a new star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind—it weighs 900 pounds, is more than 9 feet in diameter, and features 70 spikes and three million crystals outfitted with LED lights to emit rays in all directions. In January, the tree is milled, and the lumber donated to Habitat for Humanity. We think Santa would approve.
Christmas comes to New York City
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Exploring the wilder side of New York
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Aurora borealis
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The Guggenheim turns 60
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Dog days of summer
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Mada’in Saleh archeological site in Saudi Arabia
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Hyalite Creek at Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana
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Speed skaters in the Gangneung Oval, Pyeongchang, South Korea
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Visiting Ahch-To on Star Wars Day
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Stop and see the flowers
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Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France
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International Zebra Day
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A personal collection becomes an institution
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All is silent for Big Ben’s musical milestone
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Nesting season for the leatherbacks
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Monarch butterflies migrate south
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A ‘circus of chaos’ for Stravinsky
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Victory Day in Valletta
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Sunny day, sweepin the clouds away
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It s leap day!
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Fly me to the moon
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Venice by night
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Easter
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Manatees rebound
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Adorably evolutionary sea sheep
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World Bamboo Day
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St. Patricks Day
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Vacuum Chamber 5 at Glenn Research Center
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Antarctica Day
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Breaking the fast for Eid
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A red fox on the Swiss side of the Jura Mountain range