Christmas Through the Decades

FamilyDocumentary

Take a trip back in time to see what Christmas and the holiday season were like in America not too long ago as we reveal how many of today’s popular holiday celebrations and traditions had their start in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. With experts and cultural icons offering their own insight and personal memories, we reveal how your favorite holiday films, fads, television specials, songs and toys are still part of your holiday celebrations today.

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Episodes & Seasons

Browse episodes by season for this series.

Season 1

4 Episodes

EP 01

01.The 60s

2015-11-25

01.The 60s

Aired 2015-11-25

Christmas in the 1960s was a turbulent time, marked by the tragic loss of JFK and absent loved ones fighting in Vietnam. A live Christmas Eve broadcast from Apollo 8 astronauts offered peace and hope to all on Earth, and Charlie Brown reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas.

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EP 02

02.The 70s

2015-12-02

02.The 70s

Aired 2015-12-02

In the 1970s we traveled to a galaxy far far away with our Star Wars action figures and visited Big Bird on Sesame Street. And though the holidays were tense as we waited anxiously for American hostages to be released in Iran, we were also able to enjoy the fun of Pet Rocks

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EP 03

03.The 80s

2015-12-09

03.The 80s

Aired 2015-12-09

The 80s were all about the Walkman, Cabbage Patch Kids, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Relive the splendor of Clark Griswold’s Christmas light display, and rock out as now classic hits by Run DMC and Band Aid set the soundtrack for the holiday season.

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EP 04

04.The 90s

2015-12-16

04.The 90s

Aired 2015-12-16

The 90s holiday season began with cheer as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev resigned on Christmas Day. Desktop computers, Tickle Me Elmo and the latest Beanie Baby toys were on everyone's Christmas list. And Socks the Cat got his own Christmas decorations at the White House.

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