The Roman Saturnalia, an ancient festival celebrated on December 17-24 that consisted of wild merrymaking and people enjoying themselves to the fullest. The day after this festival was adopted by the church as Christmas in an attempt to counteract the effects.

President Coolidge lights the first national Christmas tree.

Christmas greeting card showing dinner foods as virtues circa 1880.

A 1915 chromolithograph illustration of Santa Claus holding toys and blowing on a trumpet.

Christmas

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HISTORY

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

U.S. Presidents

World War I pitted Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire against Great Britain, the United States, France, Russia, Italy and Japan. New military technology resulted in unprecedented carnage. By the time the war was over and the Allied Powers claimed victory, more than 16 million people—soldiers and civilians alike—were dead.

World War I

The Roman Empire, led by rulers such as Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Caligula and Nero, was a vast and powerful domain that gave rise to the culture, laws, technologies and institutions that continue to define Western civilization.

Ancient Rome

The 21st century saw the dawn of the war on terrorism, as the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing dramatically changed society. Economic issues moved to the forefront during the Great Recession. The COVID-19 pandemic upended lives and economies around the world. Awareness of social inequality grew as the killings of Black Americans, including Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, spurred widespread protests.

21st Century

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

U.S. Government and Politics

Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus, has evolved into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian and pagan traditions into the festivities.

Christmas is a religious holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus as well as a cultural and commercial event. Learn about the history of Christmas, Santa Claus and holiday traditions worldwide.

Christmas: Holiday Traditions and Gifts | HISTORY

Art history tells the complex story of human civilization through art, literature and design. It ranges from prehistoric art of the Neolithic period through Renaissance masterpieces, Impressionism, Modernism, the Bauhaus and contemporary art.

Art, Literature and Film History

The Middle Ages, the medieval period of European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance, are sometimes referred to as the "Dark Ages."

Christmas

Topics

Saturnalia

The War on Christmas

Santa Claus

History of Christmas

Stories

How Christmas Was Celebrated in the Middle Ages

Dreaming of a White (House) Christmas: 17 Photos

Christmas History Facts and Trivia

The 11 Most Controversial Stamps in U.S. History

This Day in History

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is the #1 song on the U.S. pop charts

Bing Crosby introduces “White Christmas” to the world

The Christmas Truce

President Coolidge lights first national Christmas tree