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In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a 56-line poem that changed Christmas forever. Now known as “The Night Before Christmas,” Moore’s poem created the modern image of Santa Claus.
His inspiration was two legendary figures, St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for gift giving, and Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of St. Nicholas.
Moore depicted Santa Claus differently than ever before with fur, named reindeer and a flying sleigh. However, illustrator Thomas Nast created the first likeness of a jolly, white-bearded Santa with a sack full of toys, red suit, North Pole workshop and elves.
