270-280AD - Birth of St. Nicholas, actual date uncertain

343AD - St. Nicholas died on December 6th

540AD - Elaborate Basilica built over his tomb and dedicated to the Saint

600AD - Saxons welcome the winter characters (King Frost, Lord Snow) as protectors against brutal winters

800AD - Vikings depict their God Odin dressed in hooded cloak with satchel of gifts for the needy

842AD - First article written on the life of St. Nicholas

987AD - St. Nicholas named Patron Saint of Russia

1200AD - First "musical" play written about Nicholas

1300AD - St. Nicholas first depicted with long white beard and the herder of reindeer

1400AD - Over 500 songs written and 5000 chapels and churches named in honor of St. Nicholas

1492AD - Columbus arrives Haiti on December 6th, names port St. Nicholas

1626AD - Ship with figurehead of St. Nicholas leaves for the new world; Dutch settlers name new village "New Amsterdam" (now known as New York City)

1773AD - St. Nicholas makes the news in the New York Gazette as "St. A. Claus"

1810AD - New York Historical Society holds first official celebration of St. Nicholas with first portrait

1821AD - Clement C. Moore writes "A Visit from St. Nicholas" as a poem for his children; later published by a friend

1864-1886AD - Thomas Nast continues to draw/update image of Santa Claus

1870s - Santa Claus began to appear in department stores in the U.S. and Canada

1922AD - Norman Rockwell creates another image of Santa

1931AD - Coca Cola begins major ad campaign using Santa to promote their drink. Their artist, Haddon Sundblom created Santa in his own image. Has become known as the traditional Santa.

1990s - Santa goes on-line

2000 and beyond - ?

To Santa's P.O. Box