ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />U.S. President Barack Obama lit up the National Christmas Tree on Thursday (December 4) accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, his daughters and mother-in-law.<br/> <br />The 92nd annual National Tree Lighting ceremony was hosted by actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and several performers helped ring in the event.<br/> <br />The President told the crowd the tradition started in 1923 when school children in Washington wrote a letter to the White House asking if they could put a Christmas tree on the South Lawn and he said more than ninety years later, it still stands as a symbol of hope and holiday spirit.<br/> <br />He wished everyone in attendance a happy holiday and then did some dancing on stage with Santa.
