White House Christmas tree the White House of President William McKinley received letters urging the president to forgo participation in the "Christmas tree habit". The letter writers, which the "Chicago Daily Tribune" noted had taken up the "forestry fad", referred to "arboreal infanticide", according to the "Tribune". Those opposed to a tree in the White House that year also termed Christmas trees "un-American" because it was a historically German tradition. At least one tree was displayed in the White House that year, in the kitchen department, for the maids. The Nixon administration's choice of tree topper, the atomic symbol of peace rather than a
Inauguration of Franklin Pierce the vice presidency.) Inauguration of Franklin Pierce The inauguration of Franklin Pierce as the 14th President of the United States was held on Friday, March 4, 1853 on the East Portico at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. The inauguration marked the commencement of Franklin Pierce's only four-year term as President and William R. King's only term as Vice President. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney administered the presidential oath of office. Pierce affirmed the oath of office rather than swear it, and was also the first president to recite his inaugural address from memory. Ill with tuberculosis, King was