This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Christmas customs shape the holiday across nations
Early Christians did not celebrate Dec 25 until Pope Gregory V formalized Dec 26 as the date in the fourth century. Pagan rites merged with Christian practice as Christmas evolved. Nativity plays arose across Europe, while Santa Claus blends legends from Nisse to St. Nicholas. The Santa image, Father Christmas, and gifts vary by country, with regional traditions from Italy to Switzerland. The United States absorbs and adapts these diverse customs into a distinctly American Christmas tableau.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gregoryv
Germany
Europe
Italy
Grande
Spain
Rome
Norway
Britain
St. Nicholas
Myra
Santa Claus
Switzerland
North Pole
Greece
Serbia
Romania
Balkan States
United States