St. Nicholas Day is a holiday celebrated on December 6th in honor of St. Nicholas, a Roman Empire bishop known for his kindness and gift-giving. The holiday is popular in German and Dutch communities in the U.S., with festivities and traditions held in various cities such as Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Milwaukee. Celebrations include bonfire ceremonies, Christmas markets, and gift-giving to children. St. Nicholas Day was brought to America by German immigrants in the 1600s and has since become a popular tradition, particularly in cities with strong German heritage like Cincinnati. The day is marked by children receiving cookies, candies, and gifts under their pillows or in their shoes and stockings, with common items including oranges, chocolate coins, and candy canes. St. Nicholas is often associated with Santa Claus, who similarly fills stockings and gives presents to children based on their behavior on Christmas Eve. The first image of Santa Claus was created by a Bavarian immigrant named Thomas Nast during the Civil War, featuring Santa handing out presents at a Union Army camp. St. Nicholas and Santa Claus both share a history of gift-giving and kindness towards children, making them beloved figures during the holiday season.
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