The Christmas song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer originated from a 1939 story written by Robert L. May, a copywriter for Montgomery Ward, a department store chain. The company had been giving away coloring books for Christmas and decided to create its own storybook as a promotional giveaway. May wrote the tale of Rudolph, a young reindeer mocked for his glowing red nose but ultimately proving himself by guiding Santa’s sleigh through a foggy Christmas Eve.

The story became immensely popular, and in 1949, May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, adapted it into a song. Gene Autry recorded it, and it became one of the best-selling Christmas songs of all time. Over the years, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has become a holiday classic, inspiring books, movies, and television specials.