<P> The December 1957 News and Views published by the Church League of America, a conservative organization co-founded in 1937 by George Washington Robnett, attacked the use of Xmas in an article titled "X = The Unknown Quantity". The claims were picked up later by Gerald L.K. Smith, who in December 1966 claimed that Xmas was a "blasphemous omission of the name of Christ" and that "' X' is referred to as being symbolical of the unknown quantity ." Smith further argued that Jews introduced Santa Claus to suppress the New Testament accounts of Jesus, and that the United Nations, at the behest of "world Jewry", had "outlawed the name of Christ". There is, however, a well documented history of use of Χ (actually a chi) as an abbreviation for "Christ" (Χριστός) and possibly also a symbol of the cross . The abbreviation appears on many Orthodox Christian religious icons . </P> <P> The Soviet Union (until 1936), and certain other Communist regimes, banned overtly religious Christmas observances . Most customs traditionally associated with Christmas, such as decorated trees, presents, and Ded Moroz (Father Frost), were later reinstated in Soviet society, but tied to New Year's Day instead; this tradition remains as of the present day . It should, however, be noted that most Russian Christians are of the Orthodox community, whose religious festivals (Christmas, Easter etc .) do not necessarily coincide precisely with those of the main western Christian churches (Catholic or Protestant), because of continued connection of the church calendar to the Julian calendar . </P> <P> The expression "the War on Christmas" has been used in the media to denote Christmas - related controversies . The term gained notability due in part to its use by conservative commentators such as Peter Brimelow and Bill O'Reilly beginning in the early 2000s . </P> <P> The claim of Brimelow, O'Reilly and others was that any specific mention of the term "Christmas" or its religious aspects was being increasingly censored, avoided, or discouraged by a number of advertisers, retailers, government (prominently schools), and other public and secular organizations . In the United States and Canada, where the use of the term "Holidays" is most prevalent, opponents have denounced its usage and avoidance of using the term "Christmas" as being politically correct . </P>

When was christmas banned in the united states