1979 National Christmas Tree Star

Origins
In 1979, fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage for a period of 444 days. The climax was reached at Operation Eagle Claw, where the US tried and failed to rescue the hostages. Several hostages escaped through a joint American-Canadian rescue plan. The remaining hostages were eventually released after talks between the two countries. Relations between the two nations have been strained to this day. The star was lit by Jimmy Carter in 1979 as a sign of hope to the Americans held hostage in Iran. In 1980 the tree was lit for 417 minutes, one for each day they had been trapped.

Effects
When a sincere wish is directed at the star while it is lit, it tends to come true. If the wish is impossible to grant then the star will flicker and go out for 417 seconds.