S03 · E38

Santa Claus

Dec 19, 19941h

He breaks into houses uninvited—yet he comes to give. Almost as old as Christianity itself, Santa Claus is one of history’s most beloved figures, one who has symbolized the magic, enchantment, and unquestioning belief of childhood. Though derived from the doctrines of various religions, Santa Claus symbolizes the secular spirit of generosity. Santa Claus embarks on a journey through history to reveal the roots of Father Christmas, from the Roman Befana to the Germanic Berchte and Knecht Ruprecht, from Saint Nicholas to Père Noël, and expose the historicity and magic of this jolly figure. Fascinating interviews with historians and experts—including Tim Allen, star of The Santa Clause—illuminate his extraordinary legacy. Join Biography in uncovering the real history of this timeless character, one of the most enduring and charming figures ever.

Santa Claus

Episodes

Harry S. Truman

Henry Ford: Tin Lizzy Tycoon

Mata Hari: The Seductive Spy

Paul Revere: The Midnight Rider

Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon

Sid Caesar: Television's Comedy Genius

The Rockefellers

Teddy: A Kennedy Portrait

General Omar Bradley

Marilyn Monroe: Behind the Legend

Houdini: The Great Escape

George Washington: Founding Father

Christa McAuliffe: Teacher in Space

Wilbur and Orville: Dreams of Flying

Gene Roddenberry: Star Trek and Beyond

Donald Trump: Master of the Deal

Frank Capra: Mr. Capra Goes to America

Davy Crockett: American Frontier Legend

Roy Rogers: American Legend

Willie Nelson

Patsy Cline: Remembering Patsy

W.C. Fields: Behind the Laughter

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Restless Spirit

The Babe: The Story of Babe Ruth

Pope John Paul II: Statesman of Faith

Bette Davis: If Looks Could Kill

Gilda Radner: In Her Own Words

Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World

Mike Tyson: Fallen Champ

Michelangelo: Artist and Man

Edgar Allan Poe: The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe

Cleopatra: Destiny's Queen

Van Cliburn: Concert Pianist

Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey

FDR: The War Years

Hirohito

Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso

Santa Claus

Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop

Stooges: The Men Behind the Mayhem

FDR: Years of Crisis

Andrew Carnegie: Prince of Steel

Andrew Jackson: A Man for the People

Aristotle Onassis: The Golden Greek

Attila: Scourge of God

Benedict Arnold: Triumph and Treason

Charles Dickens: A Tale of Ambition and Genius

Charles Manson: Journey into Evil

Charlton Heston: For All Seasons

Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World

Crazy Horse: The Last Warrior

Daniel Boone

Genghis Khan: Terror and Conquest

George Custer: Showdown at the Little Bighorn

Goebbels: Master of Propaganda

H.G. Wells: Time Traveler

Hercules: Power of the Gods

Huey Long: The Kingfish

Jack the Ripper: Phantom of Death

John Dillinger: Public Enemy #1

John Wilkes Booth: Assassin in the Spotlight

Lee Harvey Oswald: An American Tragedy

Leif Ericson: Voyages of a Viking

Malcolm X: A Search for Identity

Marco Polo: Journey to the East

Mozart

Nostradamus: Prophet of Doom

Patrick Henry: Voice of Liberty

Ponce de León: The First Conquistador

Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective

Sitting Bull: Chief of the Lakota Nation

Susan B. Anthony: Rebel for the Cause

The Gettys: A Tragedy of Riches

The James Gang: Outlaw Brothers

The Red Baron: Master of the Air

The Vanderbilts: An American Dynasty

Theodore Roosevelt: Roughrider to Rushmore

Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom