when did christmas trees start

The tradition of Christmas trees can be traced back to ancient times, when people used evergreen trees or branches to celebrate the winter solstice and the coming of the new year. However, the first recorded use of Christmas trees as a specific holiday decoration can be attributed to Martin Luther in the 16th century. Luther was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir tree, that he brought one home and decorated it with candles to represent the stars. Since then, the Christmas tree has become an iconic symbol of the holiday season, loved and cherished by people all over the world.