Cecil D. Andrus, the Secretary of the Interior, initially denied Shemtov a permit to put a menorah on government property, saying it would violate the First Amendment.

[4] President Ronald Reagan is credited with naming it the National Menorah in a statement read during the menorah-lighting in Lafayette Park in 1982.

[6] The Menorah is erected each year by Abraham Shemtov and Levi Shemtov and sponsored by American Friends of Chabad-Lubavitch,[6] as part of the campaign initiated by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson to raise awareness and hold public Hanukkah celebrations.

It includes a music presentation of festive Hanukkah songs by the United States Army Band.

[7] Every year since then, a member of the President's administration has participated and made formal remarks during the lighting ceremony.