The Presidential Yacht, U.S.S. Mayflower

As much of the East Coast remains paralyzed by snow, it’s worth recalling that Calvin Coolidge was made of sterner stuff. A born and bred New Englander, Coolidge was not one to be cowed by a few snowflakes. In November 1924, he boarded a yacht in the Potomac River for a weekend cruise, unfazed by an early season snowstorm. As the Washington Post observed:

“Mr. Coolidge has shown a liking for the river trips and the sudden change in the weather made no change in his plans for the cruise. Despite the storm, he intended to remain out until tomorrow morning.

The president and his guests — imcluding David H. Blair, commissioner of internal revenue — boarded  the Mayflower using a covered walkway, avoiding the slush-covered deck.

Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree in 1923. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Today, President Obama and his family presided at the annual White House tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas tradition dating back to the Coolidge Administration.

On Christmas Eve in 1923, Calvin and Grace Coolidge lit the tree during a 5 p.m. ceremony. The tree, a 48-foot balsam from Vermont, was donated by Paul D. Moody, president of Middlebury College. It was decked out in 2,500 electric lights, donated by the Electric League of Washington. Standing near the foot of the tree, Coolidge lit the bulbs with the push of a button.