Christmas Through the Decades

Christmas in the 1960s was a rough time, marked by the tragic loss of JFK and absent loved ones fighting in Vietnam; a live Christmas Eve broadcast from Apollo 8 astronauts wishes peace and hope to all on Earth.

A look at Christmas in the 70s, from the enjoyment of Star Wars action figures and pet rocks to waiting anxiously for American hostages to be released in Iran.

Relive the splendor of the 80s with the Walkman; Cabbage Patch Kids; the fall of the Berlin Wall; Clark Griswold's Christmas light display.

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev resigns on Christmas Day; Desktop computers; Tickle Me Elmo and the latest Beanie Baby toys; Socks the Cat got his own Christmas decorations at the White House.