Friday, December 16, 2016

American Christmas Trivia






A Little American Christmas Trivia


The first American Christmas tree can be credited to a Hessian soldier by the name of Henrick Roddmore, who was captured at the Battle of Bennington in 1776. He then went to work on the farm of Samuel Denslow in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, where for the next 14 years he put up and decorated Christmas trees in the Denslow family home.*




Christmas Village




The first Christmas tree retail lot was established in 1851 by a Pennsylvanian named Mark Carr, who hauled two ox sleds loaded with Christmas trees from the Catskill Mountains to the sidewalks of New York City.





Twelve Days of Christmas Santa




The first president to set up a Christmas tree in the White House was Franklin Pierce, and the first president to establish the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn was Calvin Coolidge.





Flowers



In 1882, the first tree lights were sold in New York City.





Santa and Snowman




In 1836, Alabama became the first state to declare Christmas a public holiday, and by 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant designated it a federal holiday, partly as an effort to heal the rift between North and South following the Civil War. 



Christmas Collage




Wishing YOU well and much joy!








* From the Almanac article that can be read here.

27 comments:

Tom said...

...so many interesting Christmas facts, thanks and have a wonderful Christmas.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Oh, the little frosted village with the bottle brush trees is so adorable!

Rosie said...

Fascinating facts about the christmas trees and I love all your festive decorations. Have a lovely weekend:)

mamasmercantile said...

Always nice to learn something new, particularly about another Country. A joy to visit today.

Sharon said...

Interesting facts and beautiful Christmas decorations.

Happy Five on Friday!

Anonymous said...

Super cool Snappy! And clearly you dig Christmas, as evidenced by your amazing décor! :) xoxox

Serenata said...

Great to learn some new things, and lovely pictures to go with your 'trivia'

Adam said...

I hear it came to the English speaking-world mainly because of Queen Victoria as her husband Albert was from Germany (or what would become Germany) and started the tradition where all the newspapers talked about it. Which is strange, as from George I and George II were really German themselves. And George III to William IV were also king of hanover which is a German kingdom tiny in comparison to the British throne.

Deb said...

Interesting. And the house on the right with the garland. Oh my goodness. :)

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Interesting tidbits, I wonder where Canada stands in the same traditions.

eclectichomelife said...

Loved all the Christmas history, I will be telling my sister, she'll be interested too, thanks x

Mascha said...

What a lovely post about Christmas! My favorite is the Santwa in #2...
Happy Christmas time

Janet said...

Everything looks so festive, Snap! And I learned several things about Christmas that I didn't know.

I love your banner, too. The kitty in the middle looks like our Harley.

Michelle said...

Interesting facts about the origin of Christmas trees in America. Nice!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh I just love your header. It's so pretty. And I love your milk glass vase with the red and white flowers. It looks so old fashioned and Christmasy.

Mac n' Janet said...

I had no idea, so thank you for the information. I too think your header is wonderful.

Gracie Saylor said...

Having lived at the foot of the Catskills for nearly 20 years, it was especially interesting to read about the Christmas trees being taken from there to New York City...an arduous journey back then, I imagine.

Amy at love made my home said...

What great Christmas tree facts! So interesting. I love your photos too and your header, all very festive and lovely! Happy Christmas!

handmade by amalia said...

I enjoyed the history of the Christmas tree and your bright and pretty photos. A great Christmas post.
Amalia
xo

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I enjoyed reading these interesting Christmas trivia. Very pretty and festive vignettes throughout your home. Merry Christmas to you!

Tanya Breese said...

really interesting christmas facts! i also really enjoyed all the pretty decorations!! have a great week ahead and thank you for linking with willy nilly!

Sarah said...

Fun, informative post. Thanks for sharing this. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy learning the history behind holidays and what we do. I read an interesting book called "Saint Nicholas: The Saint Who Would be Santa Claus." It was a great book detailing the life of the saint who Santa Claus would be based off of later (or at least one of the saints -- there are a few different Saint Nicholases.) It's a lovely book if you like trivia.
Thanks for posting!
Merry Christmas!
-Christina

Mila said...

Interesting! It's such a new tradition, but it seems like it has been around since forever ;)

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Everything is so pretty, and I loved all the Christmas trivia!

Have a Holly Jolly!
Carol

Katie Mansfield said...

Great information and darling photos.Thanks for linking up to Monday Social.

LeeAnn at Mrs Black's said...

Your decorations look wonderful! And I spy a Friendly Village mug too. So jealous, I love their design and have a few old plates. x