Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. But how did Santa become the holiday's figurehead? Here's a history lesson on ol' Saint Nick. Santa Claus' origins date back to about 280 A.D ...

In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Is the origin story humbug? Some grinchy ...

Our modern conception of the character of Santa Claus goes decidedly easy on what through most of his history, was one of his core functions: Not just lauding kids with gifts, but actively taking ...

One of the most influential figures in shaping the modern image of Santa was Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist who drew pictures of Santa for Harper's Weekly in the 1860s and 1870s ...

He answered it, "This is Colonel Shoup." And then there was a small voice that just asked: "Is this Santa Claus?" And dad realized that it wasn't a joke. So he'd talk to him: "Ho, ho, ho," and ...

The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year ...