A 23-metre (76-foot) Christmas tree has arrived at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, kicking off one of the world’s most famous Christmas traditions.
The 75-year-old Norway spruce came from West Edmeston, in New York State. It travelled to Midtown Manhattan on a large truck on Friday night, with a heavy police escort.
A crane lifted the tree off the truck so workers could attach a spike to its base, which will help hold it on its stand. Workers even climbed into the branches to add wires and ropes before it was lifted into place, while a large crowd watched and filmed.
Crews will now wrap the tree in 50,000 lights and top it with a Swarovski crystal star weighing about 408 kilograms, about as heavy as five adults.
The tree will be lit on 2 December and stay on display until 9 January. Millions of people are expected to visit.
How it all began
The tradition started in 1931, when construction workers building the Rockefeller Center put their money together to buy a six-metre tree. They decorated it with handmade paper garlands, cranberries and tin cans.
Two years later, in 1933, it became an official yearly event, with a 15-metre tree and a lighting ceremony. Nearly 100 years on, the tradition is still going strong.
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