Theta Xi Fraternity News
A Holiday Perspective
Most members know that Theta Xi was the only fraternity founded during the Civil War. However, what little people realize is that a number of the images that we generally associate with the holiday season, especially Christmas and Santa Claus, were also founded during the period.
The origin of Santa Claus can be traced back to the 1700's, with its influences based on other folklore and legend dating back to as early as the tenth century. However it was well-known cartoonist Thomas Nast who first published a cartoon depicting Santa Claus in camp with Union soldiers. This cartoon, from January 1863 (pictured above), was the first of many that helped create the modern image of Santa Claus.
Previous drawings of Santa Claus depicted him as a tall, thin man. Nast changed that to the more commonly known plump, bearded man we know today.
Nast also created the image for Uncle Sam, the Republican Party elephant and the Democratic Party donkey.
It is interesting to consider that while Nast was creating the image for Santa Claus and publishing cartoons depicting the Civil War, our Fraternity was being founded. Late in 1863, members of the local RPI fraternity Sigma Delta, began their movement out of that organization and towards the creation of a new organization - which culminated on April 29, 1864 in the founding of Theta Xi.
The only holiday themed drawing Nast did in 1864 is shown below, and entitled The Union Christmas Dinner.
Nast would go on to publish numerous other images of Santa Claus, including these two classics:
One other very interesting side note is that Nast resided in Morristown, New Jersey. His home from 1873-1902 in Morristown, which is a U.S National Landmark and a location recorded by the National Register of Historic Places, is currently owned by Kenneth A. Miller, Omicron 752.
From everyone on the Grand Lodge, the Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Fraternity Headquarters Staff, we'd like to wish you and your family a very safe and happy holiday season.
