🌲Some trivia for you! Did you know that on average, a Christmas tree grows for seven years before it’s tall enough for harvest? Would you like to learn more about the history of picking the perfect tree? Here is a great article from Denver Archives: loom.ly/yNXC2vM

#TIL Poinsettia are named for Joel Roberts Poinsett - the first US minister to Mexico - who brought the plant back from Taxco, Guerrero and popularized it. The records from his time in Mexico are part of the State Department holdings ⁦U.S. National Archives⁩

Quilts have long been a symbol of care and connection, making them a great reminder of the love and warmth we share during the holidays and throughout the year.

🚂We have some fascinating records about railroads, like this photo of Santa Fe’s “fast mail” train No. 8, with routes between Chicago and Los Angeles post #WWII. That's a "catcher arm" in the foreground. It picked up mail in communities not scheduled for stops!

‘Tis the season! Whether you’re a kid at heart or have children in your life, check out these toy patents! 🖍️Did you know you can find these and more in our U.S. National Archives patents-themed coloring book? loom.ly/aUBeJPc @USPTO

🏒 Check out this New Deal era painting of hockey players from the early 1900s! It was part of a federal program during the Great Depression to create art for schools, hospitals, libraries, and other public buildings. Learn more at DocsTeach 👇 loom.ly/tO3GidY

Wow! Here is a letter from Laura Ingalls Wilder to her daughter about edits for her next novel in the Little House on the Prairies series. Signed, sealed, and delivered from “Mama Bess”!

My Christmas Eve apple pie. What are you baking tonight? 🎄

🌕Rockin’ around the Christmas tree? How about orbiting around the moon? Apollo 8 astronauts were doing just that when they broadcast live footage on Christmas Eve, 1968: loom.ly/escxB-U NASA

Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful photo of First Lady Pat Nixon receiving a gift feather from Big Bird while hosting the Diplomatic Children’s Christmas Party in December, 1970. RichardNixonLibrary

We have some fascinating records about westward migration, like this photo of a family seeking a homestead in Nebraska, 1886.

Check out “Carmencita: Spanish Dance,” the oldest film in the U.S. National Archives motion picture holdings! 💡Fun fact: It was filmed by Thomas Edison! loom.ly/Kb745Es

🐴Read this great article about Sergeant Reckless, a decorated warhorse who served with the USMC Recruiting during the Korean War. loom.ly/fbyfL-k