when did the us start celebrating christmas

Christmas has been celebrated in the United States since the 17th century when it was introduced by European settlers. It became a national holiday in 1870 when President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation establishing Christmas Day as a national holiday. However, the holiday's popularity and significance in American culture have grown over the years, particularly during the 20th century when it became a major commercial event with widespread traditions like gift-giving and decorating trees.