Spotlight: This year marks the 85th anniversary of the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC. The tree-lighting tradition began on Christmas Eve of 1923, when president Calvin Coolidge lit a tree that had been donated by someone from Coolidge's home state of Vermont. The tree stood on the Ellipse grounds, south of the White House. Over the years, many different types of tree were put into service as the National Christmas Tree. The tree currently in use is a Colorado Blue Spruce from Pennsylvania, which was planted in the Ellipse and lit for the first time 30 years ago. President George W. Bush will light the tree today at 5 PM EST. It will stay lit through January 1.