In 1659, the Massachusetts Bay Colony banned by law the celebration of Christmas,
and it would not be until 1856 that it became a state holiday.

In his book, historian Anthony M. Sammarco outlines the celebration (or lack thereof)
of Christmas in the first two centuries after the town was settled in 1630. Join us as he
shares tales of Christmas past from the first Boston Christmas trees to the Enchanted
Village at Jordan Marsh to the lights on Boston Common.

Sammarco is a noted historian and author of 60 books on the history and development
of Boston. He lectures widely on the history and development of his native city.