<strong>1931:</strong> Construction workers line up for pay beside the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York. The tree went on to become an annual tradition and a New York landmark. St. Patrick's Cathedral is visible in the background on Fifth Avenue. Click through the gallery for more photos of festive Rockefeller Center through the decades:
1931: Construction workers line up for pay beside the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York. The tree went on to become an annual tradition and a New York landmark. St. Patrick's Cathedral is visible in the background on Fifth Avenue. Click through the gallery for more photos of festive Rockefeller Center through the decades:
AP
<strong>1946:</strong> A derrick begins the job of lifting a stately 75-foot Norway spruce to an upright position.
1946: A derrick begins the job of lifting a stately 75-foot Norway spruce to an upright position.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
<strong>1947:</strong> A few hardy pedestrians make their way through snow drifts after one of the city's heavier New York winter storms.
1947: A few hardy pedestrians make their way through snow drifts after one of the city's heavier New York winter storms.
HARRY HARRIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
<strong>1952:</strong> An 85-foot Norway spruce is jockeyed into position under the watchful eyes of a trio of interested youngsters.
1952: An 85-foot Norway spruce is jockeyed into position under the watchful eyes of a trio of interested youngsters.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
<strong>1962:</strong> A couple is entranced by the beauty of the scene after the traditional lighting of the tree.
1962: A couple is entranced by the beauty of the scene after the traditional lighting of the tree.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
<strong>1969:</strong> In living color! Angel decorations line the way from Fifth Avenue toward the ice skating rink and Christmas tree.
1969: In living color! Angel decorations line the way from Fifth Avenue toward the ice skating rink and Christmas tree.
Morse Collection/Gado/Getty Images
<strong>1970:</strong> The firmly established tradition enters a new decade.
1970: The firmly established tradition enters a new decade.
David Herman/Getty Images
<strong>1979: </strong>The Christmas tree towers over the popular ice skating rink.
1979: The Christmas tree towers over the popular ice skating rink.
Marty Lederhandler/AP
<strong>1983:</strong> Tourists armed with umbrellas are not repelled by a steady downpour as they make the rounds.
1983: Tourists armed with umbrellas are not repelled by a steady downpour as they make the rounds.
Suzanne Vlamis/AP
<strong>1996: </strong>The center is aglow in gold and white.
1996: The center is aglow in gold and white.
Henryk T. Kaiser/REX/Shutterstock
<strong>1999:</strong> Ice skaters make the rounds framed by the statue of Prometheus and the center's 100-foot Norway spruce.
1999: Ice skaters make the rounds framed by the statue of Prometheus and the center's 100-foot Norway spruce.
ED BAILEY/ASSOCIATED PRESS
<strong>2002:</strong> A 76-foot Norway spruce from Bloomsbury, New Jersey, is illuminated with 30,000 lights.
2002: A 76-foot Norway spruce from Bloomsbury, New Jersey, is illuminated with 30,000 lights.
DOUG KANTER/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>2007: </strong>The Radio City Rockettes perform the tree-lighting ceremony.
2007: The Radio City Rockettes perform the tree-lighting ceremony.
Scott Gries/Getty Images
<strong>2012:</strong> Folks watch as an 80-year-old Norway spruce is raised into position.
2012: Folks watch as an 80-year-old Norway spruce is raised into position.
John Moore/Getty Images
<strong>2013:</strong> Spectators in buildings overlooking Rockefeller Center watch the festivities.
2013: Spectators in buildings overlooking Rockefeller Center watch the festivities.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images
<strong>2017:</strong> A view of Rockefeller Plaza during the 85th tree lighting ceremony.
2017: A view of Rockefeller Plaza during the 85th tree lighting ceremony.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images