Holiday traditions are a big part of what make these days cultural, spiritual and political markers. We decided to look into our older collections to see what we could find of the traditional Christmas past, year-end reviews and expectations for the New Year. Here's some of what we found.
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
In 1897, an 8-year-old girl from the Upper West Side wrote to the New York Sun asking if Santa was real, and the response, heard here, became "the most reprinted newspaper editorial."
City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting, 1939
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Two vintage Christmas tree lightings.
Operation Santa Claus, 1948
Saturday, December 18, 2010
On Christmas Eve 1948, three lucky children flew to Montreal, where they met Santa Claus and escorted him back to New York to deliver presents to the City's children.
Madison Square Christmas Tree Lighting, 1942
Sunday, December 12, 2010
In December 1942, strict wartime dimout regulations dictated how people in New York, New Jersey and Delaware celebrated the holiday season.
Merry Christmas To All, From Mayor La Guardia
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The first peacetime holiday season since 1940. Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia tells the Nativity story and urges New Yorkers to "resolve to live the spirit of Christmas."
A "Pals of the P.A.L." Christmas, 1949
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A special Christmas edition of Pals of the P.A. L.
The Story of "Silent Night," c. 1945
Thursday, December 23, 2010
In this 1945 WNYC broadcast, Austrian born Marie Lemmermeyer tells the “one true story of Silent Night.
The Holiday Party the Cold War Hijacked
Friday, December 23, 2011
On December 27, 1951, the Brownsville Boy's Club hosted 5,000 children to an inter-faith party at the 106th Regiment Armory in Brooklyn.
‘Making The Wheels Go Round’: The New York Tuberculosis and Health Association's 1931 Christmas Stamp
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Early Xmas seals.
A New Year's Message from Mayor La Guardia in 1945
Saturday, December 31, 2011
"It is a year [1945] that will try men's souls - not only the men who are fighting, but those who are at home and do not have the privilege of fighting."
On the eve of New Year's Eve 1924 with the Marx Bros
Friday, December 30, 2011
A broadcast party like no other.
Christmas in New York
Wednesday, December 25, 1946
A documentary sampling of New York City churches at Christmas
December 24, 1944
Sunday, December 24, 1944
The Met Opera's Lauritz Melchior joins Mayor La Guardia and the Queens College Chamber Ensemble and Collegiate Chorale.
King George's Christmas Speech
Saturday, December 29, 1951
The last Christmas address from an ailing monarch to his people.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies at City Hall
Thursday, December 16, 1965
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony dedicated to 'the boys in Vietnam."
