Santa

The Legend Of St. Nicholas

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http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/fatherchristmas.shtml The legend of Saint Nicholas began in the fourth century ad, and is based on a very kind, rich man that gave very much. He gave to a poor man through a chimney, so whenever people had an unexpected gift by the fire, they thought it was St. Nicholas.

Sinterklaas

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas Rides the rooftops on his white horse, gives chocolate letters to children, and has servants in blackface listen to see whether children are being bad or good. He has several similar characteristics to the Germanic god Odin. Also described as the Dutch version of St Nicholas

Krampus

240

Ths German creature punishes naughty children on the eve of Saint Nicholas's day. He is told to be the ark companion of St Nick. Also described as the shadow of St. Nicholas. Legend says that Santa took away his punishing power for his own, then neglected it, leaving children no fear of a lump of coal.

Father Christmas in England

Dec 25, 1435

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Christmas England creates the depiction of "Father Christmas," singing carols about "Nowel". He is less concerned with children and more concerned with wine and food. He is also known as the ghost of the present that terrifies the character Scrooge.

Santa Gets Mixed in America

Dec 25, 1606

As America grows, the different legends of Santa Claus get mixed and blended, and Kris Kringle is created

Clement Clark Moore ('s poem)

Dec 25, 1822

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Visit_from_St._Nicholas The Night Before Christmas written, originally called A Visit from St Nicholas, pulled inspiration from the two figures Sinterklaas and St. Nicholas, and introducing new characteristics for Santa. He dressed him in American fur, gave him a pipe, and portrayed him as a jolly elf instead of a priest, with a sack full of toys and a sleigh that flew via reindeer.

Thomas Nast's Vision in Harper Weekly

Jan 1, 1863

http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas/videos/evolution-of-santa-claus Produced a definitive Santa that would be an icon for generations to come. He transformed him into someone taller, grander, with a list of naughty and nice, and living at the North Pole

Santa and Coca Cola

Dec 25, 1920

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/holidays/the-true-history-of-the-modern-day-santa-claus CocaCola began feautring Santa Claus as the jolly modern day man we know today

America Sees Marketing in Father Christmas

Dec 25, 1950

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/evolving-face-santa-smithsonian-vast-collections-180953571/?no-ist Department stores like Macy's advertises Santa as a large, jolly man with a bushy white beard and a red, fur-trimmed coat. All these characteristics were developed through the century.

Canada gives Santa a passport

Dec 25, 2013

Though only a legend, Canada claims Santa lives in the far north of their country, and has given him citizenship, an area code (H0H 0H0), and a passport