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  • 13 surprising things you probably didn't know about your favorite Christmas songs

13 surprising things you probably didn't know about your favorite Christmas songs

Erin McDowellDec 16, 2020, 22:03 IST

Marjorie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, and Virginia Dale in a scene from the movie "Holiday Inn."Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

  • Many of your favorite Christmas songs, including "Winter Wonderland," "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," and "Holly Jolly Christmas," were actually written by Jewish songwriters.
  • Christmas songs have also been linked to political events like the Cold War, the Christmas Truce of 1914, and the Fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War.
  • The first song played in space was "Jingle Bells" in 1965.

When the holiday season rolls around, the first thing many people do is turn on Christmas music.

However, you might not know the surprising history behind many popular songs and carols like "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," and "Silent Night."

Here are 13 surprising things you probably didn't know about your favorite Christmas songs.

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The first Christmas song to mention Santa Claus was Benjamin Hanby's "Up On The Housetop," written in 1864.

Santa Claus. Hasloo Group Production Studio/Shutterstock

"Jingle Bells" was originally written about celebrating Thanksgiving, not Christmas.

Thanksgiving turkey. Mphillips007/Getty Images
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"Jingle Bells" was also the first song played in space.

NASA's Gemini 6A astronauts Thomas Stafford and Walter Schirra Jr., who performed "Jingle Bells" in space. NASA/Interim Archives/Getty Images

Many of your favorite Christmas songs were written by Jewish songwriters.

Irving Berlin performs for a CBS Radio show in 1935. FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images
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Thurl Ravenscroft, who sings "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," also voiced the mascot for Frosted Flakes, Tony the Tiger.

The Grinch. Universal

"Silent Night" inspired a temporary truce during World War I between British and German troops.

British and German meeting in No Man's Land during unofficial true Christmas 1914. Robert Hunt/Windmill Books/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
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Brenda Lee recorded the original version of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" when she was only 13 years old.

Brenda Lee. GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

Group of women from Women Strike for Peace holding placards relating to the Cuban missile crisis. Underwood Archives/Getty Images
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The song "Let It Snow" never actually mentions Christmas or the holidays in the lyrics.

Christmas trees covered with snow. KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND/DPA/AFP via Getty Images

"White Christmas" was used as a secret military signal during the fall of Saigon in April 1975.

Evacuees board a helicopter after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Getty Images
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Bing Crosby's version of "White Christmas" is the highest-selling single of all time.

Bing Crosby in "White Christmas." George Rinhart/Corbis/Getty Images

"Silver Bells" was originally titled "Tinkle Bell."

Christmas bells. Ronnasit Sikeawong/EyeEm/Getty Images
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"The Christmas Song" sounds like it was written in front of a roaring fire, but it was actually penned during a summer heat wave.

Chestnuts roasting on a fire. Philippe Sainte-Laudy Photography/Getty Images
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