Stories by FactCheck.org

Poinsettia plants got their name from an American minister to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, who brought the plant to the U.S. from Mexico in 1828.

Source: History.com

Greek Orthodox churches that follow the Gregorian calendar observe Christmas on Dec. 25, like other Christian churches. But those that still follow the old Julian calendar observe Christmas 13 days later, on Jan. 7.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
 

Boxing Day, Dec. 26, is celebrated in Australia, Canada, Britain and New Zealand. It began in Britain with a practice of giving to the less fortunate the day after Christmas. But there are several theories about its exact origins.
Source: Snopes.com

On April 29, 1975, Armed Forces Radio broadcast Bing Crosby’s rendition of "White Christmas" as a code to signal the U.S. evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam.
Source: Military.com and Time.com

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was written for Judy Garland to sing in the movie musical "Meet Me in St. Louis."
Source: Entertainment Weekly

The most popular holiday song played at malls is "Jingle Bells."
Source: International Council of Shopping Centers

Of the $410 million in sales by U.S. Christmas tree farmers in 2007, Oregon farmers led the nation with $109.3 million.
Source: Census Bureau/USDA

It rarely snows when the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, not because it is too cold but because the atmosphere is too stable. Snow occurs when there is enough lifting of saturated air.
Source: NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory

On average, 13 inches of snow equals 1 inch of rain. The ratio depends on the type of snow, however. Only 2 inches of sleet but nearly 50 inches of powdery snow can equal 1 inch of rain.
Source: NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory