Christmas History and Origins
1When was the first recorded Christmas celebration?
336 CE in Rome.
2What pagan festival did Christmas partially absorb?
Saturnalia (Roman) and Yule (Germanic).
3Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
Charles Dickens (1843).
4When was the Christmas tree tradition introduced to England?
1848, via Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
5Where did the stocking tradition come from?
St. Nicholas of Myra legend.
6When was Christmas made a US federal holiday?
1870, under President Grant.
7What is Boxing Day?
December 26 — a public holiday in UK/Commonwealth nations.
8What country did the Christmas tree tradition originate from?
Germany.
Santa Claus History
9Who is Santa Claus historically based on?
St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop.
10What poem codified the modern image of Santa?
A Visit from St. Nicholas (Twas the Night Before Christmas), 1823.
11What brand is credited with popularizing the red-suited Santa?
Coca-Cola (1931 campaigns).
12What are Santa's eight original reindeer names?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen.