Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies at City Hall

The NYPR Archive Collections | Jan 1, 2000

Recording of the City Hall Park Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Participants include Newbold Morris, Commissioner of Parks, Constance Baker Motley, Mayor Robert Wagner.

Department of Sanitation Band opens the ceremonies and plays "The Star Spangled Banner." Morris is the emcee and speaks first and welcomes everyone. The Fordham University Glee Club sings "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." The Chorus of the Equitable Life Insurance Society sings "Companions all Sing Loudly." Motley, the Borough President of Manhattan, talks about the importance of the Christmas spirit and season. The Chorus of the Equitable Life Insurance Society sings "The Meaning of Christmas" and the Fordham University Glee Club sings "Silent Night".

Morris thanks the Parks Department for making "New York more Christmas-y and more beautiful than any other time of the year."

Mayor Wagner dedicates the tree lighting to the boys in Vietnam, and after the tree lights up, the Department of Sanitation Band plays "Jingle Bells." The Chorus of the Equitable Life Insurance Society sings "Carol of the Bells." Fordham University Glee Club sings "Joy to the World."


Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection


WNYC archives id: 150586
Municipal archives id: T1466

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