Santa Claus or Father Christmas originated in Western Christian culture. He is known to bring gifts during the night on Christmas eve. The modern figure of Santa is based on the folklore traditions of Saint Nicholas. But did you know Santa has a pilot’s license?
According to the Library of Congress, Santa Claus obtained a pilot’s license in 1927.
Santa Claus Getting Permission to Fly
Santa Claus isn’t just flying around aimlessly! Saint Nick received his pilot’s license from the assistant secretary of commerce for aeronautics, William P. MacCracken, in 1927.
According to the Library of Congress, Santa was photographed while receiving his license, airway maps, and assurance that the lights would be burning on the airways on Christmas Eve. (Source: History)
How Much Money Does Santa Claus Make?
Does Santa get paid, and if so, who pays him? Insure.com calculated some figures using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, and their best guess is around $140,000 per year, which is roughly the President of the United States salary. On the other hand, the IRS wants to talk to him about the worth of all that milk and cookies he gets as a perk. (Source: History)
The Shopping Mall Santa
Since the holiday’s revival in the early nineteenth century, gift-giving, primarily centered on children, has been an important part of the Christmas celebration. In 1820, stores began advertising Christmas shopping, and by the 1840s, newspapers were creating separate sections for holiday advertisements, frequently featuring images of the newly popular Santa Claus.
Thousands of children visited a Philadelphia store in 1841 to see a life-size Santa Claus model. It was only a matter of time before stores began to entice children and their parents by offering a glimpse of a live Santa Claus.
The Salvation Army needed money in the early 1890s to pay for the free Christmas meals they provided to needy families. They started dressing up unemployed men in Santa Claus suits and sending them out into New York’s streets to solicit donations. Since then, Salvation Army Santas have been ringing bells on the streets of American cities. (Source: History)
The Real Santa Claus
Santa Claus’ legend can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. Nicholas is thought to have been born around the year 280 A.D. Patara is located near Myra in modern-day Turkey. St. Nicholas, widely admired for his piety and kindness, became the subject of numerous legends.
He is said to have given away all of his inherited wealth and traveled throughout the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the most well-known stories about St. Nicholas is the time he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so that they could marry.
Nicholas’ popularity grew over time, and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on December 6, the anniversary of his death. This was traditionally thought to be a lucky day for making large purchases or getting married.
St. Nicholas was Europe’s most popular saint during the Renaissance. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when saint veneration was discouraged, St. Nicholas retained a positive reputation, particularly in Holland. (Source: History)