The History of Santa: From Saint Nicholas to the Modern Day
The History of Santa Claus
Santa Claus as we know him is the result of hundreds of years of adaptations and modifications. He originally comes from the theological Saint Nicholas of Myra, who was venerated by the Roman Catholic church in the 4th century. As time went on, Saint Nicholas was eventually linked to the symbolism of Christmas, and the idea of “goodwill” and gift giving soon followed.
Note: These are the facts, but there is still wonderful mystery and legends surrounding the history of Santa Claus.
Early Beginnings
In folklore, Saint Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in the town of Patara, located in modern-day Turkey. He had a generous heart, and was said to have helped the poor, particularly by providing gifts of money to those in need. It is believed that his popularity started to spread around Europe thanks to the Dutch.
In the early 1800s, New York historian Washington Irving published the first modern telling of Santa Claus. In his work, Irving declared that Santa lived in the North Pole and rode in a sleigh pulled by reindeer during the night of Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus in Popular Culture
Today’s image of Santa was first popularized in the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”. This poem also marked the first appearance of Santa’s reindeer credentials and red clothing. Santa’s magical powers were soon recognized and romanticized, and he was given the ability to deliver presents to all the boys and girls of the world in one single night.
The modern illustration of Santa dates back to 1930, when it was adapted from a sketch drawn by artist Haddon Sundblom for a promotional campaign for The Coca-Cola Company. Sundblom’s contribution to Santa’s image was incredibly influential—the company even maintains a large archive of his work to this day.
Today’s Santa Claus
Nowadays, Santa is a beloved international figure. He has appeared in countless books, TV specials, movies, songs and cartoons. His message of goodwill and love has even been translated into dozens of languages, to spread holiday cheer around the world.
Santa has had a long and varied history—from a talented bishop to a Coca-Cola spokes-person. No matter how you view him, the wonderful story of Santa Claus lives on in the hearts of millions around the world.