Boston is known for its quirky laws, some of which stem from the days of Puritan New England. And while some of you might instantly cite Massachusetts’ many alcohol laws, at one point celebrating Christmas was actually against the law in The Hub. That’s right, on this day in Boston history, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas until 1681.

Quite simply, Puritans at the time didn’t find a single shred of evidence within the Bible that Jesus was actually born on December 25, or that it was anything worth celebrating in the first place. Puritans, keep in mind, considered celebrations equating to the size and scope of the Christmas variety as profanity, vanity, and idolatry.

Governor William Bradford, after observing Christmas festivities in public, noted quite candidly,

On the day called Christmas Day, the Governor called [the settlers] out to work as was usual. However, the most of this new company excused themselves and said it went against their consciences to work on that day. So the Governor told them that if they made it [a] matter of conscience, he would spare them till they were better informed; so he led away the rest and left them.

But the Massachusetts historical site MassMoments remembers, too, that “It was not until 1856 that Christmas Day became a state holiday in Massachusetts. For two centuries preceding that date, the observance of Christmas — or lack thereof — represented a cultural tug of war between Puritan ideals and British tradition.”

All the while Christmas was being celebrated by the likes of the British working and labor classes, surely a reason to eat and drink beyond excess but also because it was applicable to the doctrine of the Church of England.

So while you’re unwrapping presents, slurping down spiked egg nog, and enjoying the company of your friends and family, don’t forget that this luxury wasn’t available for everyone who lived in Massachusetts, Boston and Plymouth in particular.

Merry Christmas, Boston!

[Image via DefendChristmas.com]