DAILY DIRT: The first U.S. Christmas stamp was in 1962 and it cost 4 cents

December 25, 2024 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Daily Dirt for Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024

Turkey or ham the most popular meal today? Keep reading, pardner … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,154 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Today we wrap up our three-day Christmas special.

We hope you’ve had as much fun as The Daily Dirt staff has putting it together. Here’s our final 10 holiday-related facts you may not have been aware of:

1. The first U.S. Christmas stamp was issued Nov. 1, 1962, in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was a 4-cent stamp.
2. The Beatles hold the record of the most No. 1 songs on Christmas Day. They topped the charts in 1963, 1965 and 1967.
3. In the Czech Republic, the Christmas dinner table for an even number of guests. An odd number, it is believed, brings bad luck — or even death.
4. Hallmark introduced its first Christmas card in 1915.
5. There are roughly 2.1 million reindeer across the world.
6. Christmas lights were first used in 1882.
7. Many people in Caracas, Venezuela roller skate to church for Christmas services. Officials close many of the main roads to accommodate the tradition.
8. Americans send an estimated 1.5 billion Christmas cards each year.
9. The candy cane’s shape is believed to have been inspired by a shepherd’s staff.
10. Bing Crosby’s version of “White Christmas” has sold more than 50 million copies.

2. Did you know (Part 226)

That turkey actually outranks ham as the Christmas meal favorite, according to Google Trends data.
That celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 did not start until around 336 A.D.
That Sam Homewood of the United Kingdom holds the Guinness world record for the fastest decorating of a Christmas tree: 34.52 seconds in 2018.
That British and German soldiers held a Christmas truce during World War I in 1914, singing carols and playing soccer during before resuming hostilities.
That in some parts of Europe the Christmas tree is kept up until Jan. 6, which is known as “Epiphany” or “The 12th Night”.

3. Here’s some medal-worthy information pertaining to today:

Gold medal: About 98% of American Christmas trees are grown on farms in California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Silver medal: The Pew Research Center reports that about 51% of American adults attend a religious service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Bronze medal:According to the National Retail Federation’s most recent data, U.S. consumers each spend an average of $967.13 on the holidays.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — A simple two words for today: Merry Christmas!