Our modern idea of Christmas dates from the early 19th century. Prince Albert, husband of Victoria, popularized the Christmas tree, previously a German custom. The custom crossed the ocean roughly mid 19th century and was first commercialized in 1851 when Catskill farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree.

How did our other customs come about? Click here to watch a video from the History Channel.

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