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“Is There a Santa Claus?” was the Headline that appeared over an Editorial in the September 21 , 1897 edition of the '' New York Sun ''. The editorial, which included the response of “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” has become an indelible part of popular Christmas lore in the United States . HISTORY In 1897 , Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, a coroner’s assistant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side , was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia (1889-1971), whether Santa Claus really existed. Virginia had begun to doubt whether there was a Santa Claus , because her friends had told her that he did not exist. Dr. O’Hanlon told her to write to the '' New York Sun '', a prominent New York City Newspaper at the time, assuring her the paper would tell her the truth. While he may have been passing the buck, he unwittingly gave one of the paper’s editors, Francis Pharcellus Church , an opportunity to rise above the simple question, and address the Philosophical issues behind it. Interestingly enough, when the editorial is reproduced today, it often omits more than half of Church’s original response. One paragraph that is not often repeated begins, “Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies.” Every year, Virginia’s letter and Church’s response are read at the Yule Log ceremony at Church’s alma mater, Columbia College Of Columbia University . The story of Virginia’s inquiry and the ''Sun''’s response was adapted into an Emmy Award -winning Animated Television Special in 1974 , animated by Bill Melendez (best known for his work on the various '' Peanuts '' specials) and featuring the voices of Jim Backus and Jimmy Osmond . In New York City, local television journalist Gabe Pressman has recounted the story each Christmas for the past thirty years. Virginia O’Hanlon received a steady stream of mail about her letter throughout her life. She would include a copy of the editorial in her replies. In an interview later in life, she credited the editorial with shaping the direction of her life quite positively. “YES, VIRGINIA...” IN POPULAR CULTURE
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