Christmas, the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Historians believe the holiday originated in Rome in the year 336. As Christianity spread across the world, the celebration of Christmas became more widespread and the holiday evolved to include both religious and cultural traditions, such as exchanging gifts, decorating trees and family gatherings.
In the United States, President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation that made Christmas a federal holiday in 1870. The law applied only to federal workers and the District of Columbia, but the observance of Christmas as a legal holiday was eventually adopted by all states.
The U.S. Post Office Department issued its first Christmas stamp in 1962. At the time, critics argued a stamp honoring Christmas or any religious event violated the Constitution, which prohibits the government from favoring one religious faith over another.
However, the release started a tradition of extending seasonal greetings with stamps honoring secular and religious holidays. This year, in addition to the Christmas Madonna and Child and Holiday Joy stamps, USPS released Hanukkah and Kwanzaa stamps.
