For the sixth day of this 2015 Christmas countdown, I am posting 10 facts you may not have known about that are all related to Santa Claus.
1. Before '
The Night Before Christmas', Santa Claus was never described as a pipe smoker.
2. Santa Claus has over 1,000 different names.
3. In London, people host a 'Santa Run' on December the 6th (and everyone running must be dressed like Santa).
4. In Russia, Santa is known as 'Grandfather Frost', who travels by white horses with his granddaughter to give children gifts and to set up New Year's Eve parties.
5. In the movie '
The Polar Express', some people believe that everyone in the film represents someone/something from the bible. For example, Santa is supposedly God, the homeless ghost on the top of the train is the Holy Spirit, and the conductor is (a rather cross and strict) Jesus.
6. Santa was supposedly born in 270 AD.
7. The American version of Santa Claus (or Saint Nicholas) originally came from the Dutch version, which was called Sint Nikolaas or Sinterklaas.
8. 'Santa' means 'holy' or 'saint' in Spanish.
9. The animated film '
Santa Claus is Coming to Town' came out on December 14, 1970, in which Santa was played by Mickey Rooney.
10. Santa Claus delivers presents to well over 22 million children on average each year.
