it's parked in montgomery next to a replica of the 1955 bus where rosa parks refused to give up her seat. and students from several local schools toured the bus during events for the 60th anniversary of the montgomery bus boycott. follow our bus as it travels around the country on twitter and instagram bus. >> here's a look at the christmas tree lighting ceremony. this includes remarks from president obama. hello everyone and good evening and welcome to president's park here in washington, d.c. for the 93rd annual national christmas tree lighting. [ cheers and applause ] it's pretty exciting.

we are in this historic national park just across from the white house on a wonderful winter night in our nation's capital. millions of americans will be celebrating this season with their own holiday traditions but tonight we're glad you've joined us here for a terrific night of music and more. and speaking of music, let's hear it for the united states coast guard band. aren't they amazing? [ cheers and applause ] . i'd also like to add a special welcome and word of thanks to all the men and women in uniform serving around the world and for being here this evening. [ cheers and applause ] now it's my great honor to welcome the first family of the united states. [ cheers and applause ] mr. president, mrs. obama, mrs. robinson, sash that sha and maly

holidays! [ cheers and applause ] [ band playing "o, christmas tree ] hello, everybody! [ cheers and applause ] happy holidays! you know my crew, malia, sasha, michelle, grandma. [ cheers and applause ] happyholidays to reese and everyone here tonight and everyone watching at home. now, let's begin the process of lighting the tree. [ cheers and applause ] we have a countdown going on, we're going to start at 5, here we go. five, four, three, two, one. [ cheers and applause ] >> merry christmas, everybody!

[ band playing "joy to the world" ] ♪ ♪ >> i am joined by a very good friend of mine and a very special guest. she is a show business legend in her own right, the one and only miss piggy, everybody. [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you, yes! >> hi, piggy, how are you? >> i'm fabulous, reese. but i am a little worried that this cold weather might be too much for a hollywood girl like you. >> well, it is a little brisk.

>> well, i thought i'd do you a favor and host the rest of the show. [ laughter ] >> well, i mean, i don't really think that's necessary, miss peggy. >> come on, sister, you've g gotten a academy award, give me something here. >> we'll talk about this later. >> you bet you will. >> right now it's a very special time. it's time for a christmas story. >> oh, really? really? what? >> there's a tradition on this stage to read "'twas the night before christmas." >> what fun! >> and we are honored to be joined by the first lady of the united states, michelle obama. [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you so much. >> how are you? well hello, there. >> hello! hello michelle. >> hi, miss piggy, how are you? >> you look fabulous. >> you look amazing. >> almost as fabulous as me. i was going to say that.

and you know what? it's all thanks to your let's move campaign i've been working out. eating healthy. >> that's good. well i'm very proud of you miss piggy. >> but you are gonna have cake later at this event, right? >> we'll just skip that. now we're going to read a story, are you guys ready for that? >> yes. >> are you ready, miss piggy? >> i am, yes. >> we're going to read "'twas the night before christmas." are you ready? >> let's start. >> "'twas the night before christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. the chimney with care in hopes that st. nicholas soon would be there. >> the children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. and mama in her kerr chief and i

in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's nap. >> when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, i sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. >> away to the window i flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and flew open the sash. the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of objects below. >> when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. >> with a little old driver so lively and quick, i knew in a moment it must be st. nick. >> more rapid than eagles his coursers they came and he whistled and shouted and called them by name: now dasher, now dancer, now francer and vixen,

on come mit, on cupid, on donne and blitzen. >> excellent reading, miss piggy. >> thank you. >> from the top of the porch to the top of the wall, now dash away, dash away, dash away all. as dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly when they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky. >> you're not bad, either. >> thank you. [ laughter ] >> so up to the house top the coursers they flew with the sleigh full of toys and st. nicholas, too. >> and then in a twinkling i heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. as i drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney st. nicholas came with a bound. >> he was dressed all in fur are from his head to his foot and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. >> a bundle of toys he had flung on his back and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. his eyes, how they twinkled.

his dimples how merry. his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. >> his droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. >> the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. >> he had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. he was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf and i laughed when i saw him in spite of myself. >> a wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread. >> he spoke not a word but went straight to his work and filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk. and laying his finger aside of his nose and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. he sprang to his sleigh, to his

team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a this is. >> but i heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight: merry christmas to all and to all a good night. [ cheers and applause ] >> high five, miss piggy. low five. way to go. >> please welcome the director of the national park service, jonathan jarvis. [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you all for joining us for one of the events that make the holidays sparkle. the annual lighting of the national christmas try is a holiday tradition and it helps kick off the celebration of the national park service's 100th anniversary coming in 2016. here at president's park and other national parks across the country we are inviting everyone

to come find your park. if the national park visits are a regular tradition for your family or if you have never visited a national park we want all americans to discover a new national park experience. tonight it's my great honor to introduce to you someone very special to us in the national park service. betty soskin is 94 years old and the oldest park ranger. [ cheers and applause ] she works at rosie the riveter world war ii home front national historical park in richmond, california. she was part of the war effort in richmond, and while she doesn't think of herself as a rosie, her story is an important piece of history that was written in richmond during the 1940s. it was my pleasure to introduce a woman whose experience and dedication to sharing a more complete american story is inspired so many, including me. please welcome betty soskin.

[ cheers and applause ] >> thank you. i was last in washington on january 20, of 2009 for the presidential inauguration. in my breast pocket was a picture of my great grandmother, leontine ellen, a woman born into slavery in 1846 in st. james parish, louisiana. it is fitting that i return to washington tonight with my granddaughters in an area known as the ellipse because this is a full circle moment. one of the greatest joys of my job is the opportunity to share my life experiences to the