http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus Learn about the origins and evolution of Santa Claus from images of Saint Nicholas and the Dutch Sinter Klaas, all the way up to through Coca Cola Santas and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. en Copyright 2013, History.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-06-19T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo1 A sixteenth century sculpture of Saint Nicholas from Castello D'Aviano, Italy. The origins of the modern-day Santa Claus can be traced back to this saint. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo2 Saint Nicholas was known as the protector of children and sailors. This 14th century painting shows him caring for two small boys. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo3 The name Santa Claus evolved from St. Nicholas' Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas). Pictured here, Sinter Klaas arriving in Amsterdam, 1991. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo4 In the 19th century, images of Saint Nicholas/Sinter Klaas became more prevalent in the United States, though depictions of the Christmas legend still varied. This Santa Claus comes from the 1880s. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo5 An 1888 book illustration from The Night Before Christmas, or a Visit from St. Nicholas, by Clement Clark Moore. The poem, originally published in 1822, contained several descriptions of Santa as we know him today. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo6 Cartoonist Thomas Nast drew several depictions of Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly, establishing the contemporary image of this Christmas legend. This cartoon comes from around 1881. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo7 Illustrator Haddon Sundblum created many Coca-Cola ads that featured Santa Claus. "Stock Up for the Holidays" comes from around 1953. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo8 Carried by his reindeer, Santa makes his way down Broadway during the 2006 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. http://www.history.com/photos/christmas-history-of-santa-claus/photo8