Did you know that Santa Claus is based on a real person from Turkey? Saint Nicholas of Myra was a Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now known as Turkey.) Around 500 AD, Nicholas became known for his saintly acts. One story has him giving gifts to those in need. A poor family did not have enough money for a dowry so that their daughter would not have to become a prostitute. Nicholas went to their house intending to sneak gold in through their window; however, the windows had bars. In what would become a Christmas tradition, Nicholas threw the gold down the chimney. It happened to land in the girl’s stocking which had been hung to dry.