Yuletide Calls Europe's Lost Children Back
<em>The Chicago Daily Tribune,</em> November 24, 1937
Frederic Babcock's Chicago Tribune article illuminates a special side effect of the European origin of many Americans, i.e. the heavy tourist traffic to Europe during the yuletide. According to the author, thousands of naturalized Americans are returning to their “European fatherlands” in order to learn how Christmas is celebrated there. At the end, Babcock throws light on the different Christmas traditions celebrated on the European continent.
“Now that Christmas is only a month away, the trans-Atlantic lines have started on the task of transporting thousands of naturalized Americans back to the fatherlands for the holidays. By mid-December seventy-five ships will have sailed from New York, Boston, Montreal, St. John, and Baltimore for ports in the old world. Most of them will be loaded to capacity. […] In addition to the former Europeans homeward bound, the liners will carry thousands of native Americans going over to see how Christmas has been celebrated for many centuries. It is estimated that 100,000 other residents of this country already are in Europe and will be on hand for the festivities.”
Article available through ProQuest (subscription required)
Babcock, Frederic. “Yuletide Calls Europe's Lost Children Back: American Ships Bound for Fatherland.” TheChicago Daily Tribune, Nov. 24, 1937, p. 14.
