stackyFACTS
History

Boston once banned Christmas celebrations

HERE’S THE INTERESTING PART

The original war on Christmas was waged by highly religious Christians. The Massachusetts Bay Puritans found the holiday way too fun and pagan, despising the drinking, feasting, and general joy. From 1659 to 1681, anyone caught exhibiting 'Christmas spirit' was fined five shillings. They basically criminalized holiday cheer to ensure everyone stayed properly miserable.

From the Stacky collection1 min read
Boston once banned Christmas celebrations
STACKY / History
Topics in this factcolonialpuritansholidays
One discovery leads to another.

Keep exploring facts in this topic.

History →
STACKY FOR IPHONE

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.

Keep discovering with Stacky. Interesting facts in an app that is always within reach.

Download on the App Store
ONE MORE DISCOVERY?

Keep exploring

All in this topic →
When Puritans banned Christmas
History

When Puritans banned Christmas

Early settlers found the festive holiday singing and feasting completely inappropriate, legally outlawing the celebration entirely.

Discover more
British and German soldiers temporarily paused the horrifying carnage of World War I to celebrate Christmas together in 1914, singing carols and exchanging small gifts in the frozen mud of no man's land.
History

British and German soldiers temporarily paused the horrifying carnage of World War I to celebrate Christmas together in 1914, singing carols and exchanging small gifts in the frozen mud of no man's land.

British and German soldiers temporarily paused the horrifying carnage of World War I to celebrate Christmas together in 1914, singing carols and exchanging…

Discover more
The nursery-rhyme author who lobbied for Thanksgiving
History

The nursery-rhyme author who lobbied for Thanksgiving

Never underestimate a writer with too much free time. The author of the world's most famous nursery rhyme spent literally decades writing annoying, aggressive…

Discover more
How chili peppers conquered Asian cuisine
History

How chili peppers conquered Asian cuisine

Before the 16th century, Indian curries and fiery Sichuan feasts never knew the sting of chili peppers. These fiery fruits leapt oceans from the Americas…

Discover more
When gossip could earn you a metal bridle
History

When gossip could earn you a metal bridle

While witch trials remain famously overblown, early settlers spent vastly more civic effort actively punishing loud individuals for spreading annoying rumors.…

Discover more
Puritans wore bright colors—and drank beer
History

Puritans wore bright colors—and drank beer

Despite their painfully bleak modern reputation, Puritans frequently wore bright reds and deep blues, and consumed massive amounts of beer and cider since…

Discover more
StackyMore discoveries in the app
Download on the App Store