Thousands of NYC residents and guests from around the world joined the traditional Cristmas-tree lighting ceremony at the city’s Rockefeller Center. Photo by AP
Some 30,000 lights shined on the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York, US, and the traditional lighting ceremony was attended by thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. The nine-ton tree was planted 50 years ago in Connecticut. It arrived in Manhattan last month on a Hudson River barge and was trucked to the midtown landmark where it will remain lit until January 6. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg dedicated this year's lighting ceremony to US soldiers in the country and elsewhere.