While the legend of Santa Claus dates back to 280 A.D. he didn't make his first appearance in the states until the end of the 18th century. Known by many as St. Nicholas the first dated mention of his named appeared in a New York newspaper, which has reported on a group of Dutch families that had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. The name Satan Claus, actually originated from the dutch nickname for St. Nicholas, Sinter Klass. In 1804, a member of the New York Historical Society, John Pintard, passed out wooden engravings of St. Nicholas during a society meeting. The engraving featured the image we know today of Santa Claus filling stockings with toys. The legend grew, when Washington Irving referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York, in 1809. While the legend continued to grow, one fact is certain- Santa Claus has become a world renowned figure of Christmas.
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