On this day: 23 December 1823

The poem “A Visit from St Nicholas”, or “The Night Before Christmas”, was published anonymously (it was later revealed to be by the classicist and theologian Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote it for his children but initially didn’t want to be associated with something so unscholarly). It’s responsible for many of the elements of what we might call the modern Santa narrative: “Chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf”, he rides in a sleigh that lands on the roof, and descends chimneys with a bagful of toys. In 2006 a handwritten copy signed by Moore sold for $280,000 (£172,500).