Santa Claus is probably the most recognized man in the United States. Every year, he spreads his joy and delight to children everywhere. But, how much do you really know about this popular man? The legend of Santa Claus has been evolving over course of centuries. Here are a few interesting facts about Jolly Old St. Nick:
- Santa Claus' origins can be traced back to Saint Nicholas who was born in Turkey around 280BC. St. Nicholas was known for spreading his wealth to the poor. Eventually, he also became known as the protector of children and sailors.
- The name for Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch nickname for Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas. Sinter Klaas in turn is a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas.
- The tradition of Santa entering homes through the chimney has threads in other traditions throughout Europe. Odin was thought to enter homes through the chimney or fire hole during the solstice celebration. Befana is a little old woman in Italy who enters homes via chimney on the eve of Epiphany to bring children gifts.
- Several authors including Washington Irving and Clement Clarke Moore are responsible for developing Santa Claus into the familiar form of a plump, jolly old man riding in a sleigh delivering gifts to good little girls and boys.
- After Clement Clarke Moore's poem, "The Night Before Christmas," spread throughout mid-19th century America, Santas were spotted in various guises and outfits of different colors.
- Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist, further transformed Moore's Santa into the image that we see today. Nast's Santa sported a white beard and a red suit while carrying a bag chock full of toys. He also added Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the North Pole workshop to the image.
- In the 20th century, Santa's image as a benevolent soul was further solidified by his involvement in charity including the appearance of Santa in fundraising for the Salvation Army.
- You can train to be a Santa Claus. There are Santa Claus Schools like the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Michigan. Having been founded in 1937, Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School has been around for quite some time!
To read more, check out these articles:
Fox News: St. Nick Learns Tricks of the Trade at Santa Claus School
History. com: Santa Claus
National Geographic: Saint Nicholas to Santa: The Surprising Origins of Mr. Claus
Wikepedia: Santa Claus
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