History Professor Serves as Expert on History Channel Program

Did you know that Christmas was considered “too fun” in the 17th century and was even banned for a short period of time?

This is just one of the many topics that Edward O’Donnell, associate professor of history, discusses in a recently aired History Channel special called, “The Real Story of Christmas.”

The show, which aims to present “the truth behind the holiday we love,” will air again on the History Channel Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 12:01 a.m.

“The funny thing about all traditions and all holidays,” O’Donnell says at one point during the one-hour program, “is that they never are static and they’re not nearly as old as you think they are.”

Demonstrating this reality, he and other historians talk about a myriad of topics from the origin and development of Santa Claus and Rudolph to how the Industrial Revolution contributed to the commercialization of Christmas. The show looks at the holiday from its earliest days to its current form in present day culture.

By Mary Moczula ’11

Photograph by John Buckingham