Milwaukee City Christmas Tree

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The Milwaukee City Christmas Tree (1913–1995; 2006–present), also known as Milwaukee City Holiday Tree (1995–2006) is a pine tree that is placed at city hall and decorated by the city council of Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the Christmas holiday season. The tradition began in 1913 and continues to this day.

[edit] Naming controversy

Like many other city–endorsed Christmas tree lightings, the tree lighting in Milwaukee was labeled "holiday" rather than "Christmas" in 1995 so as not to "offend non-Christians". In 2004 and 2005 many cities reversed their decision and re-labeled the tree as "Christmas" rather than the generic "holiday". Examples include the Capitol Christmas Tree and the California Capitol Christmas Tree. In October 2006, with a 9-5 vote, Milwaukee city council decided to rename the decade's old "Holiday tree" to a "Christmas Tree".