Page 47 - All About History - Issue 59-17

The Secret History of Christmas

a Tale of Three sToCKings

Why do we hang stockings on the fireplace at Christmas?

As the story goes, there was a widowed man with entered the family’s home at night, by sliding
three very beautiful daughters. The family was down the chimney, and noticed that the girls had
poor and the man was scared that his daughters hung their newly washed stockings up to dry on
would never marry because of their low status. the fireplace. He filled each one with enough gold
One day, Saint Nicholas was walking through for a dowry and disappeared into the night.
the town when he overheard the local villagers The next morning, the girls were elated to find
discussing the sad situation of the three girls. He the money and their father was finally at peace.
decided to help but knew that the man would When the townspeople heard what at happened, Hanging stockings is
never accept an act of charity so he secretly they too hung up stockings on their fireplaces. a popular tradition

washingTon’s ChrisTmas

Breakdown
Daring aTTaCK On 23 December 1888, Vincent van Gogh famously cut off his

left ear and handed it to a brothel maid. Why he took such a
drastic step remains unclear but it has been suggested that the
How Washington’s artist freaked out after receiving a letter informing him of his
brother’s impending marriage.
festive mission changed The origins

the tide of war of PoinseTTia
Over a decade before he became president,
George Washington was the commander-in-chief Poinsettia is a staple for the festive holidays, but
of the Continental Army during the American did you know that it was originally associated
Revolution. After experiencing several defeats with the Aztecs? They used it to produce red dye
against the British, including the loss of New and fever medication. By the 17th century it had
York City, he decided more drastic action was also become associated with Christmas, thanks
needed — a surprise attack. to its resemblance to the Star of Bethlehem
The British had left behind a garrison of shining brightly in the sky.
Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey, who fesTive
were getting into the festive spirit, unaware of
the events about to unfold. During the night of Cheer
25 December 1776, Washington’s forces crossed
the icy Delaware River and caught the Hessian During the devastation of World War I,
troops off-guard in the early hours of the 26th. there was one thing that could lift the
They were easily defeated and the Americans spirits of those so far from home. In
seized 1,000 prisoners as well as supplies. the period leading up to Christmas
Remembered as the Battle of Trenton, in 1917, over 50,000 parcels a day
the event served to rise the morale of the were received across the Channel by
Continental Army and contributed to a surge in soldiers from their loved ones.
new recruits, which was desperately needed. why ‘Boxing

day’?

Traditionally, Boxing Day was
associated with charity and churches’
money boxes would be opened for
the poor. As time moved on, the
charitable association died out and
Boxing Day became a day where
the family would gather outside to
exercise after the excess of Christmas.