Today (06/12/2025) is Saint Nicholas Day. Also known as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, it is a Christian festival typically celebrated by giving gifts and attending church services.
Saint Nicholas Day is particularly revered in the Netherlands, where Sinterklaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas) often makes public appearances with his helper, Piet. It is believed that they travel by boat from Spain, and his arrival is widely anticipated by children. “Santa Clause”, the American name for Father Christmas, is in fact derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas.
Happy Saint Nicholas Day from everyone at British Online Archives!