Santa's Story

We best know Santa as the character who delivers presents every Christmas Eve, but it turns out his origins are far from fiction. Santa's story dates back to 280 A.D. in what today would be Turkey. Saint Nicholas was a monk who traveled the countryside to assist the poor and sick. One story claims he even used his wealth to provide a dowry for three impoverished sisters, saving them from being sold by their father. He became known as a protector of children and sailors, and by the Renaissance, he was among the most popular saints in Europe.

The Italian Town Where Santa is Buried

The town of Bari, located on the heel of Italy’s boot, has laid claim to this alternate Santa story for nearly 1,000 years after the bearded gift-giver’s remains were said to have been interred beneath a church that bears his name.

Santa here is Saint Nicholas, globally acknowledged as the man who inspired the Santa Claus legend.

Nicholas, also known as Niklaus or Nicola, was a real-life Christian saint born, not in the frozen north, but in Myra, in what is today Turkey.

Saint Nick, it is believed, was born around 270 C.E., and died 67 years later. He was revered around the Mediterranean for his generosity, especially in Bari. This is perhaps why Baresi sailors stole his bones in 1087 and moved them to their town.

Today, three-quarters of what is claimed to be Saint Nicholas’ skeleton rests in peace beneath the Basilica of San Nicola, Bari’s largest church, where it is regularly visited by Christians of all denominations from all over the world.

Bari’s residents regularly celebrate their connection to Saint Nick, but are somewhat nonplussed about his role in the commercial extravaganza that is modern-day Christmas.

St Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors, merchants and brewers.

He didn’t always have a round belly

In 1809, author Washington Irving helped to shape Santa's image in his book "Knickerbocker's History of New York." In the novel, he described St. Nicholas as a pipe-smoking, slim figure flying over rooftops in a wagon delivering presents to good children and switches to the bad.

A political cartoonist drew this iconic look

1881, Thomas Nast — the acclaimed political cartoonist famous for creating the elephant that represents the Republican Party and the donkey for the Democratic Party — brought to life the image of the Santa that we know today. Nast drew Santa as a round, jolly man with a full, white beard, undersized longjohns with white trimming and a sack full of toys.

A poem popularized his image



In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem for his children called "A Visit From St. Nicholas." In the poem, Moore described St. Nicholas as a "jolly old elf" who has supernatural abilities like being able to enter a chimney with a nod of his head. The poem was published anonymously and is popularly known today as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Santa has an official pilot’s license

Santa has an official pilot’s license! In 1927, the US government officially issued Santa with a pilot’s license!

And a passport!

Santa and Mrs Claus have Canadian passports! In 2013, Mr and Mrs Claus received their own Canadian e-passports from Canadian Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.

He's not especially beloved by Philadelphia Eagles fans

Over 54,000 hometown fans watched the Philadelphia Eagles endure a humiliating loss during a snowy December game in 1968, so suffice is to say the mood wasn't festive. It probably wasn't a surprise then, that a halftime appearance by Santa himself didn't go as planned. The jolly old elf was greeted with boos, and then the crowd started pelting him with snowballs.

So, did the fans at least feel some postgame regret? Nope. The general consensus among fans was "Santa had it coming." As for the guy who dressed up like Santa for the game, when asked if he'd repeat the performance, he responded, "No way. If it doesn't snow, they'll probably throw beer bottles."