grace coolidge gave permission to put it down on the list. second, the tree you should note difs assassinated. the tree was lit marking the end of a 30-day national period of mourning. even though presidents have lit the tree for years it hasn't always looked the way it does now. the l.e. desmt lights were first used back in '07. and it's become more energy efficient ever year. president obama. they are pretty much all a big deal. but chance the rapper, kelly clarkson and yolanda adams are the head liner. and garth brooks, the man in the hat. >> it's a holiday tradition. today president obama will welcome the month of december by lighting the national christmas tree. first, let's get back down to doug where the weather is looking great for this event. >> it really is. we've been down here so many years where the weather has been freezing. other years we have had rain. a couple years ago it was pouring on us and everybody on the stage as well. they are going to do that it rain or shine. today it is all shine. we have that sun right now making

first lady grace coolidge gave the schools the permission. second, the tree wasn't used during world war ii. and when president truman lit it, he talked about peace that the world prayed for. the tree lighting almost missed kennedy was killed. the tree was lit on december 27nd. and even though presidents have lit the trees for years. it's not always looked the same. it's because of the tiny l.e.d. lights that covered the tree. they were first used in 2007 and that's made the tree more energy efficient. for everything you need to know, search national christmas tree in the nbc washington app. >>> and dropping alexandria police are investigating their seventh homicide of the year. police were called to the street for reports of gun shots. when they arrived they found a 41-year-old man suffering from upper body trauma. the man is not from this area. there were two murders in this same area over the summer. relocate the statute because to do so would diminish their effectiveness on other issue. in september they voted to remove the statute. city