Today in History: A Visit from St. Nicholas
Today in History–December 24–the Library of Congress features the famous poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” penned by Clement C. Moore on this day in 1822. Today the poem is best known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Find out more about Moore and his famous tale by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources related to Santa Claus.
A reprint of the first publication of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” c. 1830
“A Visit from Saint Nicholas” article showing poem in author longhand
Historic news pages: A Visit from Saint Nicholas
Christmas Carol. The visit of Saint Nicholas broadside, 1842
A Visit from Saint Nicholas illustrated book, 1862
Audio recordings
- The Night Before Christmas 1901
- The Night Before Christmas 1914
- Santa Claus tells about his toy shop 1918
- Santa Claus visits the children 1921
- Santa Claus tells of Mother Goose Land 1922
- Santa Claus hides in your phonograph 1922
Topics in Chronicling America – Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (1897-1920)
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Why I Believe in Santa
Featured Images
- Christmas Children’s Section
- Christmas Toys
- Santa Claus’ Aeroplane story published in The San Francisco Call, 18 Dec. 1909
Library blog posts
- A.C. Gilbert’s Successful Quest to Save Christmas Inside Adams blog December 14, 2016
- A Visit from St. Nicholas . . . and the Librarian of Congress From the Catbird Seat December 19, 2018
- Santa Claus Speaks Now See Hear! December 23, 2015
- Santa Gets Credentials Picture This December 24, 2013
- ‘Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas . . . Library of Congress blog December 23, 2009
- What Scrooge Ate on Christmas Eve: Folk Belief, Folk Medicine, and Foodways in Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” Folklife Today December 10, 2021
Today in History: Christmas primary & secondary sources