After reading Mdoneil’s journal entry I did a little additional reading and found some interesting things. In the Wikipedia entry for the editorial “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus” it mentions this fact Interestingly enough, when the editorial is reproduced today, it often omits more than half of Church’s original response. One paragraph that is not often repeated begins, “Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies.”
This got the librarian in me thinking that I would like to see the original 1897 newspaper that had the editorial. At the Newseum website there is a scan or the original editorial.
I also came across this interesting link. On December 24th 1963, CBC radio interviewed the real Virginia. It is well worth the listen to hear the thoughts of the real Virginia.
She died in 1971.
Wonderful
Wonderful librarian work! Merry Christmas to you and all.