Christmas is a holiday with a long and rich history, and it has been celebrated in many different ways over the centuries. The first recorded celebration of Christmas dates back to the fourth century, when the Roman Empire was divided into the Eastern and Western Empires. In the Western Empire, which included what is now Italy, France, and Spain, Christmas was celebrated as a religious feast day on December 25th. In the Eastern Empire, which included what is now Turkey, Greece, and Russia, Christmas was celebrated as a festival of light on January 6th.