Whether it was celebrating at their Gettysburg farm or enduring Christmases overseas during World War II, the Christmas season was always full of meaning for Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower. Explore their holiday traditions with this series of articles.
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Article 1: Eisenhower Family Christmas Celebrations
Christmas was a very special time of year for Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower. Explore stories of the Eisenhower family's holiday traditions, including a special virtual tour of the Eisenhower home decorated for the Christmas holiday. Read more
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Eisenhower National Historic Site
Article 2: Christmas Eve on a Gettysburg Farm
In December 1955, New Yorker Frank Sohl wrote a Christmas poem for President Dwight Eisenhower. Sohl's poem saw Eisenhower visited by the spirits of three former presidents at his Gettysburg farm one snowy Christmas Eve. Eisenhower loved Sohl's work and sent copies to friends. The poem was picked up by newspaper across the country. Today, it reminds us of the expectations Eisenhower felt as president and the desire for peace we all feel each Christmas season. Read more
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Article 3: A Season of Hardship and Struggle: Eisenhower's World War II Christmases
For soldiers, especially during wartime, Holiday joy and the comfort of hearth and home are often a very far cry away. This was true as well for General Dwight Eisenhower who experienced several Christmases away from his loving wife and son during the great conflict of World War II. However, there were still glimpses of normalcy and holiday cheer that pushed their way through to the fighting men even during the bloody acts of war. Read more