Photos | Videos | Audio | Interactives
Photo Galleries (2)
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Christmas Traditions
Christmas Traditions(12 Photos)
12 Photos
View images of Christmas celebrations and traditions around the world, from creche scenes in Bethlehem to santas and storefronts in New York City.
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Christmas: History of Santa Claus
Christmas: History of Santa Claus(8 Photos)
8 Photos
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.
Videos (22)
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Bet You Didn't Know: Christmas
Bet You Didn't Know: ChristmasVideo Clip (2:45)
Video Clip (2:45)
Did you know Christmas wasn't always celebrated on December 25th? Get the whole story behind the holiday.
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Deconstructing History: North Pole
Deconstructing History: North PoleVideo Clip (1:36)
Video Clip (1:36)
Ever wonder how many miles it is from the North Pole to the South Pole? Take a journey to the northernmost point on earth to uncover this and other facts and figures of the Far North.
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Evolution of Christmas
Evolution of ChristmasVideo Clip (2:39)
Video Clip (2:39)
Christmas has evolved from solstice celebration to family feast.
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Christmas Becomes a Holiday
Christmas Becomes a HolidayVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
Today's Christmas celebrations combine secular and religious traditions.
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Strange Christmas Traditions
Strange Christmas TraditionsVideo Clip (2:05)
Video Clip (2:05)
Ruled a legal holiday in 1894, Christmas has had its fair share of strange traditions.
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Evolution of Santa Claus
Evolution of Santa ClausVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
The modern image of Santa Claus has been refined again and again.
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Origins of Christmas
Origins of ChristmasVideo Clip (3:04)
Video Clip (3:04)
The celebration of Christmas as we know it today stems from the traditions of several different cultures.
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Origins of Santa Claus
Origins of Santa ClausVideo Clip (2:24)
Video Clip (2:24)
In this video, learn about the history of Santa Claus and his real-life inspiration, St. Nicholas.
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History of the Christmas Carol
History of the Christmas CarolVideo Clip (2:40)
Video Clip (2:40)
Get the facts on the tradition of Christmas carols and find out how "Jingle Bells" came about.
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The Life of a Christmas Tree
The Life of a Christmas TreeVideo Clip (1:48)
Video Clip (1:48)
From the farm all the way to your living room, take a closer look at the big business of Christmas tree production.
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Christmas Light Technology
Christmas Light TechnologyVideo Clip (1:53)
Video Clip (1:53)
Christmas lights have evolved from novelty item to household essential.
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Christmas Light Fanatic
Christmas Light FanaticVideo Clip (1:36)
Video Clip (1:36)
Outdoor Christmas light displays have become more elaborate over the years.
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Crafting Glass Ornaments
Crafting Glass OrnamentsVideo Clip (2:10)
Video Clip (2:10)
A glass blower demonstrates the techniques used to create traditional glass ornaments.
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Why December 25th
Why December 25thVideo Clip (1:59)
Video Clip (1:59)
Find out why Christmas is celebrated on December 25.
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Fruitcake
FruitcakeVideo Clip (3:24)
Video Clip (3:24)
Find out how to make a fruitcake, one of the quintessential Christmas deserts.
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Gingerbread House
Gingerbread HouseVideo Clip (3:53)
Video Clip (3:53)
The baking of gingerbread houses has long been a Christmas tradition, and some are truly architectural wonders.
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Candy Canes
Candy CanesVideo Clip (3:51)
Video Clip (3:51)
Though Christmas happens once a year, candy canes are manufactured all year long.
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White House Christmas
White House ChristmasVideo Clip (0:45)
Video Clip (0:45)
Lyndon and Ladybird Johnson celebrate Christmas morning at the White House in 1968.
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Babe Ruth Santa
Babe Ruth SantaVideo Clip (0:29)
Video Clip (0:29)
Newsreel footage of children gathering around Babe Ruth dressed as Santa Claus
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Christmas on the Western Front
Christmas on the Western FrontVideo Clip (0:58)
Video Clip (0:58)
Newsreel footage from WWII shows soldiers celebrating Christmas in 1944.
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The Christmas Tree
The Christmas TreeVideo Clip (2:39)
Video Clip (2:39)
From millions of homes worldwide to the White House, the Christmas tree is a tradition that owes its popularity in part to a popular British queen.
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European Christmas Customs
European Christmas CustomsVideo Clip (2:59)
Video Clip (2:59)
In some parts of Europe, people still celebrate Christmas customs based on long-standing folk legends.
Speeches & Audio (1)
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Queen Elizabeth II Broadcasts Christmas Message
Queen Elizabeth II Broadcasts Christmas MessageAudio Clip (1:42)
Audio Clip (1:42)
On December 25, 1963, Queen Elizabeth II delivers her annual Christmas greeting to her subjects in Great Britain and around the world.
Interactives (1)
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Christmas Facts
Christmas FactsInteractive
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