Christmas was not declared a federal holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870. During the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous. The contemporary Santa Claus figure was born in the United States in the 19th century, influenced by artists, writers and evolving American culture. Santa Claus was first depicted as wearing a red suit and living at the North Pole in 1863. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was created in 1939 as part of an advertising campaign. The use of Christmas trees began in Germany and has since spread globally with the help of Christmas lights. Christmas traditions vary widely around the world and within different regions of the United States.

1. Inquiry Project #4 Lauren Banks Education 357 1 December 2009 CHRISTMASHISTORY

2. Declaration of CHRISTMAS Christmas was not a Holiday in EARLY America. It was not until June 26, 1870 that Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States of America.

3. Christmas History Facts In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

4. Christmas during The Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous – a lot like today’s Mardi Gras parties.

6. 'Santa Claus' is claimed to have been the Dutch word for St Nicholas, Sinterklaas.

7. Although the Dutch had brought him with them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809.

8. This first Santa Claus was still known as St. Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.

10. The STOCKING According to the legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinsterhood. The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls' plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman's house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry.

11. The Christmas Tree The use of a Christmas tree indoors appears to have begun in Germany. German Christians would bring trees into their homes to decorate. In some areas evergreen trees were scarce so the families would build a Christmas pyramid, simple wooden structures which they decorated with branches and candles. Early Christmas trees were often decorated with apples, nuts, cookies, colored popcorn and candles. The invention of electricity in the early 20th century and use of electrical Christmas lights helped spread the use of the Christmas tree.

12. CELEBRATIONS Christmas has had a long and varied history. It has been celebrated for many centuries by different people, at different times, in different places, and in many different ways. Christmas is now a mixed celebration of old and new traditions. Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions around the world and even in different regions of the United States. These traditions can be as diverse as the culture and religious practices of each and every country in the world.

13. Resources http://www.history.com/content/christmas/christmas-facts http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/traditions/usa.htm http://www.holidays.net/christmas/tree.htm http://www.allthingschristmas.com/traditions.html