White House Christmas tree not ordered one by December 23. Additionally, other presidents never displayed a tree in the White House. First U.S. President George Washington held office at a time when there was no White House, thus it is impossible for him to have displayed a tree there. There is no evidence that Abraham Lincoln ever displayed a Christmas tree in the White House. In 1922 First Lady Florence Harding's illness led to a more subdued Christmas celebration at the White House and no Christmas tree. The official White House Christmas tree has several times been seen as controversial by some. In 1899
Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years is a 1977 American made-for-television film and a sequel to "Eleanor and Franklin" (1976). Originally airing on March 13, 1977, it was part of a two-part biographical film directed by Daniel Petrie based on Joseph P. Lash's Pulitzer prize-winning biography chronicling the lives of the 32nd U.S. President and the first lady. Joseph Lash was a secretary and confidant of Eleanor and wrote other books on the couple. "Eleanor and Franklin" focused on their respective childhoods, school years, courtship and the lead-up to his election. Seven