While owning the land that was to later become known as New York, the Dutch brought the St. Nicholas' Eve legend with them to America.
The name Santa Claus in this instance was derived from the saint's Dutch name, Sinterklaas.
This name was eventually Americanized in Washington Berlin's History of New York.
Santa Claus as we know him today is a mixture or these two legends and of Christmas legends and songs that have been passed down through the years.
As popular culture changed, so did our popular image of Santa Claus. One thing that has never changed, though, has been the joy brought to many children with the telling of this story over the centuries. |
