5 Ways Christmas Day Became A National Holiday

Christmas Day, a holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, has become a significant celebration around the world, especially in countries with a strong Christian heritage. In the United States, Christmas Day has been a federal holiday since 1870, but its journey to becoming a national holiday was a long and winding one. In this article, we will explore five key factors that contributed to Christmas Day becoming a national holiday in the United States.

Christmas, as we know it today, is a holiday that has evolved over centuries. The early history of Christmas is not well documented, but it is believed that the holiday has its roots in ancient pagan festivals that celebrated the winter solstice. The winter solstice, which falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day of the year and the beginning of the lengthening of days. Many ancient cultures celebrated the winter solstice as a time of renewal and rebirth.

In the 4th century, Christianity became a dominant force in Europe, and Christmas became a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The early Christian church chose December 25 as the date for Christmas, likely to co-opt the existing pagan festivals and traditions. Over time, Christmas evolved into a distinctly Christian holiday, with many of the traditions and symbols we associate with it today, such as the Christmas tree, holly, and mistletoe.

So, how did Christmas Day become a national holiday in the United States? Here are five key factors that contributed to its widespread adoption.

The Influence of German Immigrants

German immigrants played a significant role in popularizing Christmas in the United States. Many German immigrants brought their Christmas traditions with them to America, including the Christmas tree, festive decorations, and holiday foods like gingerbread and stollen. German-American communities in cities like New York and Philadelphia helped to spread these traditions to other parts of the country.

The Role of Literature and Media

Literature and media also played a significant role in popularizing Christmas in the United States. Washington Irving's 1823 short story "The History of New York" helped to revive interest in Christmas traditions, and Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "The Night Before Christmas") helped to popularize the idea of Santa Claus and the modern concept of Christmas.

The media also played a significant role in spreading Christmas traditions. Newspapers, magazines, and other publications helped to popularize Christmas stories, poems, and illustrations, which in turn helped to create a sense of national holiday spirit.

The Influence of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria, the British monarch, also played a significant role in popularizing Christmas in the United States. Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, brought his Christmas traditions to the British court, and the couple's festive celebrations helped to popularize Christmas among the British aristocracy.

When Prince Albert died in 1861, Victoria's enthusiasm for Christmas only grew stronger. Her love of Christmas was widely reported in the press, and her festive celebrations became a model for other royal courts and aristocratic families. American newspapers and magazines picked up on these stories, and soon, Christmas was becoming a popular holiday among the American upper class.

The Role of President Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln also played a significant role in popularizing Christmas in the United States. In 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring the last Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving. While this proclamation did not directly address Christmas, it helped to establish the idea of a national holiday season.

Lincoln's own Christmas celebrations also helped to popularize the holiday. The president was known to be a devout Christian, and his family's festive celebrations were widely reported in the press. Lincoln's enthusiasm for Christmas helped to set a national tone for the holiday, and soon, Christmas was becoming a widely observed holiday across the United States.

Congressional Action and the Establishment of a National Holiday

Finally, it was Congressional action that established Christmas as a national holiday. On June 28, 1870, Congress passed a law declaring Christmas to be a federal holiday in the District of Columbia. This law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on June 28, 1870.

However, it was not until 1938 that Christmas became a national holiday across the United States. On June 13, 1938, Congress passed a law declaring the fourth Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving, and on December 25 to be a national holiday. This law was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 13, 1938.

In conclusion, Christmas Day became a national holiday in the United States through a combination of factors, including the influence of German immigrants, literature and media, Queen Victoria, President Abraham Lincoln, and Congressional action. Today, Christmas is one of the most widely observed holidays in the United States, and its traditions and symbols have become an integral part of American culture.

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