Boston's Christmas tree

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Question: Where does the tree used for the tree-lighting ceremony on Boston Common come from every year?
Answer: Nova Scotia

Shaun was in training last week in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and while he was there he met a woman who told him that every year since 1971, Nova Scotia has sent a Christmas tree to Boston as a thank-you for their help in responding to a horrific explosion between a freighter and a ship carrying munitions in Halifax harbor in 1917. Here's the history behind the tradition, from an article in the Boston Globe:

It dates back to 1917, when a French ship loaded with munitions collided with another freighter in Halifax harbor. A fire broke out on board, igniting the explosives minutes later, and causing what was then the largest man-made explosion in world history.

The blast was felt 250 miles away. More than 1,600 people died in the first, frantic moments , hundreds more later . Children were blinded by flying glass and, in an instant, entire neighborhoods in Nova Scotia's seaside capital city disappeared. "Halifax Swept by Flames After Explosion," screamed the front-page, above-the-fold headline in the Boston Globe the next morning, "2,000 Dead."

That was nearly 90 years ago now, but people in Nova Scotia still know the story of what happened on that cold December day, and they recall that Bostonians responded first. And so, more than 50 years later, Nova Scotia decided it would thank Boston every November by sending down one very large Christmas tree. (O'Brien, Keith. "Oh! Christmas tree." The Boston Globe. 26 Nov. 2006.)

We both thought this was an interesting little piece of information and wanted to share. Here's a link to another article that touches on the history a little bit more, also from The Boston Globe, if you want to check it out ----> Boston Globe Article. If not you can at least file the info away in the section of your brain reserved for Trivial Pursuit. I know I will.