Christmas was finally made a federal holiday in America on July 26, 1870. When the Pilgrims first came from Europe to America, they were extreme Puritans and did not celebrate Christmas. It went so far as Christmas was actually banned or outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Each person caught celebrating Christmas was given a fine. However, in Jamestown, it was reported by Captain John Smith that Christmas was enjoyed by all. After the American Revolution, most British traditions fell out including Christmas. It was then in the nineteenth century that most Americans began to celebrate the holiday of Christmas. Before it had been celebrated as a carnival type holiday but the American’s reinvented it into a peaceful family-centered day. Also, in the north and south Christmas was viewed differently. In the north they tended to believe that it was a sin if the holiday was celebrated, and in the south it was seen as an important time spent with family during the holiday season. The first three states to name Christmas an official holiday were in the south states. Then, in the years after the civil war, Christmas tradition was spread throughout the nation. Santa Claus was introduced along with his reindeer and the Christmas tree.
Source
“Christmas History in America." Christmas History. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. .
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