when did rudolph the red nosed reindeer come out

The poem "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was first published in 1939 by author Robert May. The poem tells the story of a young reindeer with a red nose who is ostracized by his peers for being different, but ultimately proves to be an invaluable asset to Santa and his sleigh team on Christmas Eve. The poem has since become a beloved Christmas classic and has inspired numerous adaptations in various forms of media, including the popular 1964 animated television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."