When Did America Start Celebrating Christmas
Christmas is literally the mass for christ the day on which christians celebrate the birth of jesus.
When did america start celebrating christmas. It is a celebration of the birth of jesus christ the man christians believe is the son of god and the savior of the world. From about 1840 celebrating christmas became more widespread. In the united states of america christmas was established as a federal holiday on june 26 1870. The idea of turning this day into a celebration started in the early middle ages in europe.
The day of christmas and in some cases the day before and the day after are recognized by many national governments and cultures worldwide including in areas where christianity is a minority religion. The day on which a saint died was considered more significant than his or her birth as it ushered him or her into the kingdom of heaven. The western date for jesus birth was chosen by pope leo i. However it was seen as an english holiday.
Christmas christian festival celebrating the birth of jesus. El papa san león i magno. In others christian. For the first three hundred years of the church s existence birthdays were not given much emphasis not even the birth of christ.
December 25 has become widely accepted as the date of jesus birth. This day december 25 336 is the first recorded celebration of christmas. And so when the pilgrims came to america christmas was forbidden and not observed. The celebration of christmas did eventually wend its way into the fabric of american culture.
Christmas is celebrated and enjoyed in certain american colonies. In some non christian areas periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration e g. The observance of christmas around the world varies by country. Christmas trees decorated trees date back to germany in the middle ages with german and other european settlers popularizing christmas trees in america by the early 19th century a new york.
Christmas has also become a secular family holiday that is observed by christians and non christians is marked by the exchange of gifts and features the mythical figure of santa claus.