Christmas around the world

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Christmas

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, J.R. Poinsett, imported (what became) the poinsettia for Christmas in 1828

Slide 23

Christmas in America

Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, etc. came from 2 published works in 1822 and 1863-1886

1822 – “The Night Before Christmas”

1863-1886 – magazine published pictures of Santa’s workshop, Santa reading letters, Santa checking his list, etc.

Slide 24

Christmas in America

Started to become popular in 1860s, and by 1874 Macy’s in New York developed Christmas theme window displays

Tree decorations became common in 1880 when Woolworth’s began to sell manufactured ornaments

Slide 25

Christmas

Outdoor White House tree tradition started in 1923 with President Coolidge

Slide 26

Christmas in America

Two most popular secular songs at Christmas are:

Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (1942)

Gene Autry’s “Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer” (1949)

Based upon the Montgomery Wards booklet of the same named given away free in 1939 – written by a father attempting to cheer up a sad daughter grieving over a dieing mother

Slide 27

Christmas

There’s something to celebrate for everybody:

Great traditions incorporating aspects from many countries

Significant religious events