The Rockefeller Center Tree: A Tradition Rooted in the History of Cesidio Perruzza

In the heart of the great history of Rockefeller Center in New York, a memorable chapter is dedicated to Cesidio Perruzza, a man with a Ciociarian heart who, back in 1901, left his homeland, Italy, to seek his fortune in the United States.

The Beginning of a Luminous Story

Working as a digger and bomber, Cesidio joined a team of Italian workers who would shape the face of Manhattan over the years, contributing to the construction of important landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, the courthouse in Foley Square, the subway on Sixth Avenue, the first Madison Square Garden , and the United Nations building.

Cesidio, with his courageous spirit and his desire to bring joy during the difficult times of the Great Depression, one day surprised his fellow workers with a majestic six-meter-high balsam fir . This symbolic gesture was his way of saying: “Be happy, guys, we have work”. Cesidio’s wife, along with the other women of the Italian workers, hand-created garlands and collected rows of cranberries to decorate the tree, turning a simple gesture into a shared tradition.

Two years later, in 1933, the idea of Cesidio turned into an annual Rockefeller Center tradition, resulting in what is now known as the most famous Christmas tree in the world. Over the years, the tree has grown in height and splendor, now surmounted by a Swarovski star weighing four hundred kilos and composed of three million crystals, representing a globally recognized Christmas icon.

This story represents the last chapter of a long narrative that began almost a century ago, thanks to a dreamer worker with a Ciociarian heart. A bomber who, despite the challenges and difficulties, was not afraid to spread joy and happiness. Today, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree continues to simbolize hope, with roots that lie in the stories of men like Cesidio Perruzza, whose work helped build not only towering buildings, but also community bonds and enduring traditions.