This is just one of the portraits of Santa Claus created by Thomas Nast (1840-1902), the editorial cartoonist often considered to be the Father of the American Cartoon.
This is just one of the portraits of Santa Claus created by Thomas Nast (1840-1902), the editorial cartoonist often considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon."

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials and on posters and stamps.

‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus'
13 Dec 2019 | 01:09
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The letter:

Dear Editor:

I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’

Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

115 West Ninety-fifth Street

The editorial:

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been...



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