New York Girl Asks: “Is There A Santa Claus?”
Dec 24, 2010 in We Think
The following editorial is one of the most famous ever written. In 1897 it was published in the long defunct The New York Sun newspaper. We believe it will always be appropriate as long as the question remains, “Is there A Santa Claus?”. Merry Christmas, everyone!
We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor,
I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.‘ Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon
115 W. 95th St.Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except (what) they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. (more…)