The practice of decorating a home with pine boughs predates the more modern idea of the Christmas tree by centuries. By the 1600s, the Protestant population of Germany embraced the idea of bringing a tree into the home and decorating it, setting in motion the development of a grand Western tradition that has spread beyond Europe and North America, and fuels an entire industry of tree farms and the manufacture of artificial trees. If you’re celebrating Christmas today, we wish you a merry one.
Happy holidays!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Surf s up—Down Under
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World Space Week
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World Bicycle Day
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Shakespeare Day
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Surströmming Day
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Ready, set, read
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Audubon Christmas Bird Count
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Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe
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Of moles and liquid nitrogen
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The Tour de France begins
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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch on the institution s 175th anniversary
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Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
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The moon rises for Mid-Autumn Festival
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It s truffle season here in the Dordogne Valley
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Just another day in paradise
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From pirate port to nature preserve
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Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain
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Full moon
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Sunburst at Angkor
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Sonoma Coast State Park, California
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Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
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Midnight sun
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A view from the top
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Indigo bunting
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European fallow deer in England
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Haven t you herd? It s World Elephant Day!
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Here s looking Atchafalaya
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Whanganui National Park, Retaruke, New Zealand
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La Geria wine region, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
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A path lain with petals
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

