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When did the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center begin? See photos from the 1930s

It's starting to look like Christmas in New York City.

Rockefeller Center will hold its 90th Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. ET. The decades-long holiday tradition dates back to 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression.

According to the Rockefeller Center website, Rockefeller Center employees pooled money to purchase a 20-foot-tall balsam fir tree decorated with garlands handmade by workers' families in hopes of raising Christmas spirits. Two years later, Rockefeller Center decided to make the tree an annual Christmas tradition – and held its first official lighting ceremony in 1933.

Over the years, each of the giant trees that light up Midtown Manhattan has been unique. According to the Rockefeller Center, the 2022 Christmas tree is a 14-ton, 25-meter-tall, 15-meter-wide Norway spruce. It is decorated with over 50,000 lights on five miles of wire and a stunning Swarovski star that weighs about 800 pounds and is covered in 3 million crystals.

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The tree is native to Queensbury, New York, and is approximately 85–90 years old – roughly the same age as the Rockefeller Center’s annual lighting ritual.

Here's a look at some Rockefeller trees from past years.

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Construction workers line up to receive their pay next to the first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York. This 1931 archive photo shows construction workers line up to receive their pay. (AP Photo)Construction workers line up to receive their pay next to the first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York. This 1931 archive photo shows construction workers line up to receive their pay. (AP Photo)

Construction workers line up to receive their pay next to the first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York. This 1931 archive photo shows construction workers line up to receive their pay. (AP Photo)

The ice rink at Rockefeller Center is being built, December 19, 1936. The rink is about 50 by 100 feet and will be ready for use by Christmas. Admission is $1. (AP Photo)The ice rink at Rockefeller Center is being built, December 19, 1936. The rink is about 50 by 100 feet and will be ready for use by Christmas. Admission is $1. (AP Photo)

The ice rink at Rockefeller Center is being built, December 19, 1936. The rink is about 50 by 100 feet and will be ready for use by Christmas. Admission is $1. (AP Photo)

The famous Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Plaza catches the eye on December 26, 1947, as a few brave pedestrians make their way through the snowdrifts of one of the worst winter storms in years.The famous Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Plaza catches the eye on December 26, 1947, as a few brave pedestrians make their way through the snowdrifts of one of the worst winter storms in years.

The famous Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Plaza catches the eye on December 26, 1947, as a few brave pedestrians make their way through the snowdrifts of one of the worst winter storms in years.

The Christmas tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center in New York in 1952.The Christmas tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center in New York in 1952.

The Christmas tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center in New York in 1952.

This is a night view of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1961.This is a night view of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1961.

This is a night view of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1961.

This is the Christmas scene at Rockefeller Center in New York City, December 17, 1974.This is the Christmas scene at Rockefeller Center in New York City, December 17, 1974.

This is the Christmas scene at Rockefeller Center in New York City, December 17, 1974.

The Christmas tree towers over the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Christmas Day, December 25, 1979.The Christmas tree towers over the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Christmas Day, December 25, 1979.

The Christmas tree towers over the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Christmas Day, December 25, 1979.

One of the three camels from New York's Radio City Music Hall Christmas show (front) takes a break from his morning walk to nibble on the tree as it arrives at Rockefeller Center on November 16, 1984.One of the three camels from New York's Radio City Music Hall Christmas show (front) takes a break from his morning walk to nibble on the tree as it arrives at Rockefeller Center on November 16, 1984.

One of the three camels from New York's Radio City Music Hall Christmas show (front) takes a break from his morning walk to nibble on the tree as it arrives at Rockefeller Center on November 16, 1984.

Some of the more than 500 tuba players participating in the 24th annual Tuba Christmas Play play under a 75-foot-tall Norway spruce during a concert on ice at the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City on Sunday, December 14, 1997.Some of the more than 500 tuba players participating in the 24th annual Tuba Christmas Play play under a 75-foot-tall Norway spruce during a concert on ice at the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City on Sunday, December 14, 1997.

Some of the more than 500 tuba players participating in the 24th annual Tuba Christmas Play play under a 75-foot-tall Norway spruce during a concert on ice at the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City on Sunday, December 14, 1997.

The Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Center shines brightly after First Lady Laura Bush and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani flipped the light switch to usher in the holiday season on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)The Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Center shines brightly after First Lady Laura Bush and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani flipped the light switch to usher in the holiday season on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

The Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Center shines brightly after First Lady Laura Bush and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani flipped the light switch to usher in the holiday season on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit as people take photos of it and the holiday decorations in Rockefeller Center during the 85th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 in New York.The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit as people take photos of it and the holiday decorations in Rockefeller Center during the 85th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 in New York.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit as people take photos of it and the holiday decorations in Rockefeller Center during the 85th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 in New York.

People take photos of themselves with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York on Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 2020). The coronavirus has upended Christmas traditions, but determination and imagination have made the day special for many.People take photos of themselves with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York on Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 2020). The coronavirus has upended Christmas traditions, but determination and imagination have made the day special for many.

People take photos of themselves with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York on Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 2020). The coronavirus has upended Christmas traditions, but determination and imagination have made the day special for many.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree be lit? When did it start?

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