what year did christmas become a federal holiday

Christmas became a federal holiday in the United States in 1870, after President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill into law. Prior to that, Christmas was celebrated by many Americans, but it was not recognized as a public holiday. In the early 1800s, many people began calling for Christmas to be made a federal holiday, citing the economic benefits it would bring to businesses and the happiness it would bring to families. After years of debate, Christmas finally became a federal holiday in 1870.