The Story of Santa Claus
Dressed in red, with a full white beard, this rather large elf is one of the most beloved characters in the western world.
Who is this man? How did he come to America? 
Brought to America by English and Dutch settlers, Santa Claus is the combination of several customs and beliefs. His story begins with the three names he is best known by:: Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle and Santa Clause.
His basic history was summed up by writer Clement Clark Moore and the cartoons of Thomas Nast. Dr. Moore from New York wrote a Christmas poem, "A visit from St. Nicholas" for his children, which he read on Christmas Eve in 1822.
The following year, Harriet Butler heard of the poem and requested a copy from him. Later she sent it without Dr. Moore's knowledge to be published in the New York Sentinel.
In 1838 Dr. Moore revealed that St. Nicholas was his creation.
The 19th century American cartoonist Thomas Nast did a series of Christmas drawings for Harper's Weekly Magazine.
Although described as a smallish elf in the original tale, Nast made Santa a larger man, and captured the image we have of Santa today.
The editor of the New York Sun responded to 8 year old Virginia O' Hanlon's question as to whether or not there really was a Santa Claus.
The editor replied "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus".

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