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Ho! Ho! Ho! The History of Christmas

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Christmas Tree

The modern Christmas tree was likely born in the eighth century, when St. Boniface was converting the Germanic tribes. The tribes worshipped oak trees and decorated them for the winter solstice. When St. Boniface cut down an enormous oak tree, a fir tree grew in its place. The evergreen was offered as a symbol of Christianity, which the newly converted Germans began decorating for Christmas.

Fun Fact: Prince Albert, who was German, introduced the Christmas tree to England after his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840. German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought Christmas trees to America.

Photo source: www.whitehouse.gov

Next: Mistletoe

More on: Christmas

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