Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus facts for kids
The famous phrase "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" comes from a special newspaper article. It was a reply written by an editor named Francis Pharcellus Church. He worked for a newspaper called The New York Sun. The article was for an eight-year-old girl named Virginia O'Hanlon. She had written to the newspaper asking, "Is There a Santa Claus?" This happened on September 21, 1897.
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The Famous Letter to Santa
Virginia first asked her father, Dr. Philip O'Hanlon, about Santa Claus. Her father told her to write to The Sun newspaper. He promised her that "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." This meant that if the newspaper printed something, it must be true.
Who Was Virginia O'Hanlon?
Virginia O'Hanlon was born in 1889 and lived until 1971. When she wrote her letter, she was only eight years old. She wanted to know the truth about Santa Claus.
Who Wrote the Reply?
The newspaper editor who wrote the famous reply was Francis Pharcellus Church. He wrote the editorial that answered Virginia's question. An editorial is an article that shares the newspaper's opinion or message.
Why Is This Editorial So Famous?
The editorial "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is one of the most reprinted newspaper articles in the world. People still read it every year, especially around Christmas time. It reminds everyone about the spirit of belief and imagination.
Images for kids
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Francis Pharcellus Church, author of the famous editorial
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The original letter
