This photograph shows President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the South Portico of the White House during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
The Roosevelts had planned for a “more homey” lighting of the National Christmas tree on Christmas Eve in 1941. FDR had directed that the tree be moved from the Ellipse to the White House grounds, just next to the South Lawn Fountain in order to provide a better view for the people. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, however, there was some doubt that the ceremony would take place at all. With firm backing from the President, the tree-lighting went forward, and thousands came to the White House to share a bright moment of hope during dark and uncertain times.
