From Deseret News archives:
Temple Square sees 40th year of holiday lights
Backed by Elder Mark E. Petersen, a member of the Quorum of Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and chairman of the Deseret News board, the Christmas lights appeared on Dec. 9, 1965.
During that first open-night ceremony, 15,000 people crowded the square to watch then Church President David O. Mckay turned on a modest display of about 40,000 lights on a mere eight trees and a small nativity scene in the southeast corner of Temple Square.
Today, hundreds of thousands of people pass through Temple Square to view the spectacular display of numerous nativities and more than 700,000 lights twinkling in the trees.
The Temple Square lights are ranked as one of the nation's top 100 holiday events by the American Bus Association, but it took decades for the lights to become so magnificent.
In 1967, about 100,000 lights were put up. The number slowly increased through the years. By 1979 there were 180,000 lights, in 1981, 200,000 lights and in 1985 there were 250,000 lights.
The lights will be on until the end of the year from dusk to 10 p.m.
Comments
- Tuesday on TV 12:13 a.m.
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale 12:13 a.m.
- I'll take doc's advice on mammogram 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: Winning fans' hearts 12:11 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Barzee case like Jeffs' 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Trump card for believers 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Can't erase genetics 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Rushing to judge Palin 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: MLS not BCS 12:11 a.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Fans greet returning Real Salt Lake
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
213 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
195 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
133 - BYU records with win
132 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
131 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
109 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
Associated Press Personal Finance Writer Candice Choi offers gift-giving...
I hope Donny wins. His humility, courage and humor are very refreshing....
but it is Provo's Craig Drury polishing his 8 rings as head coach.
Like the newspaper said, "...the first time since '84 national...
I think Mya did not deserve the nine's from the 3 judges on her free dance -...
College football will NEVER revert to the old bowl system. It has gone too...
We don't need another layer of government, which obviously represents more...
And this surprises someone? It's too easy in Utah to deceive the masses....
We cannot afford this monstrosity! Any claims that it will save money are...
I grew up in SLC and have always been a huge BYU fan. Honestly I can say most...
These are not essential government programs needed to ensure our national...



You can be the first to comment on this story.