by A boy in Baltimore asks if Santa can be Black, what the Chesapeake Bay is, and where the national anthem came from
A Letter to Santa from Baltimore, Maryland
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Marcus and I am 8 years old. I live in Baltimore, Maryland, a harbor city with crab cakes and a famous old fort. I love basketball and helping my mom in the kitchen. My question is: can Santa Claus be Black? My geography question is: what is the Chesapeake Bay? And my social studies question is: where did the national anthem come from? Thanks, Santa!
Love, Marcus (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Marcus! What a wonderful and important question. The answer is a joyful yes. You see, I am really the spirit of giving, and that spirit belongs to everyone, everywhere. All across the world, people of every background dress as Santa and bring joy to their neighborhoods, and each one of them is the real Santa in that happy moment, because being Santa is about having a kind and generous heart, not about the color of your skin. So yes, Santa can absolutely be Black, and Santa can look like people from every corner of the Earth.
Your geography question: the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay, which borders your own Maryland, is the largest bay of its kind in the United States. It is a place where many rivers meet the sea, mixing fresh and salty water into a rich home for crabs, oysters, and birds. Your famous Maryland crab cakes come from those very waters. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: the national anthem
The national anthem of your own United States, The Star-Spangled Banner, was written right near your Baltimore. Long ago, during a battle at Fort McHenry, a man watched the American flag still flying at dawn and was so moved that he wrote a poem about it, which became the anthem sung today. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Make a great shot for me, Marcus. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
