Welcome to Flashback Friday! It seems fitting that, with just a few days to go before Christmas, we take a look at that classic editorial from a veteran newspaper journalist to a little 8-yr-old girl, Virginia O’Hanlon.
Yes, I’m talking about the unsigned editorial: “Is there a Santa Claus?” published in The New York Sun on September 21, 1897. The writer was later identified as Francis Pharcellus Church.
Looks very serious, doesn’t he? He should; he was a Civil War correspondent. What he wrote in reply to this young girl has become a timeless piece, reprinted whole or in part more often than any other newspaper editorial in the English language. The phrase “yes, Virginia” has become part of our lexicon.
When 8-yr-old Virginia asked the question that makes all parents of young children squirm -“Is there a Santa Claus?” – her father, Dr. Phillip O’Hanlon, suggested she write to The Sun for her answer. (Strategic parental deflection; quite impressive). Below appears the entirety of the editorial in answer to her letter (which has since been verified as genuine).
For more about Virginia’s life, the editorial, and what has been done with it since, check the following links:
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” – Wikipedia
I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season, whether Santa is part of it or not! And thank you for reading and supporting this blog over the past year. I so appreciate all your comments and tweets.
After today, the blog will be on holiday hiatus until the new year. I’m looking forward to catching up with you then!
Happy New Year,
Kathy
A stellar moment in Holiday History. I love what this wise man has to say. Thank you for this blog, Kathy. Merry Christmas!
Interesting post! Thanks for sharing and happy holidays!
thanks for sharing this message. Merry christmas
I love how people wrote “back in the day.” Le sigh. So lovely. I bet he wrote it in longhand first. Merry Christmas, K.B.
Finally catching up, Renee. Hope your holidays were lovely, and thanks for the support!
Piper, Coleen, Louise and Renee –
Thanks so much for your comments, and for your wonderful support throughout the year. It’s much appreciated!
Happy New Year!
Wishing you a very happy new year also, Kathy! See you on the flip side!
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy. I wish you the best of everything for 2012!
And great posts like this are the reason I nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award! Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, Jane! You are so sweet – Merry Christmas to you, too! 😀