“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Premieres on CBS – This Day in History (Sixty years a go today)

Association of Mature American Citizens ^ | December 9, 2025

[Ciaphas Cain]

December 9, 1965, marked a quiet revolution in American holiday television — the day A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on CBS. Based on the beloved Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, the half-hour animated special introduced to millions a different kind of Christmas story: small in scale, emotionally honest, tender, and subversively thoughtful.

At the time, few expected much. The special was produced on a modest budget, completed in just six months, and featured child actors rather than seasoned voice talents — a bold choice for 1965 television. Executives worried: no laugh track, understated pacing, a jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi Trio, and a storyline that questioned the commercialization of Christmas.

Then it aired. Nearly 45 million viewers tuned in, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” instantly upended expectations. The melancholic center of the story — the perpetually insecure boy who asked aloud, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” — resonated in a way few cartoons ever had, and the jazzy, atmospheric score became indelibly linked to the holiday season.

Beyond the broadcast’s success, the special struck a deeper chord. It reminded audiences that Christmas could — perhaps should — be more than tinsel, consumerism, and forced cheer. Through humble animation, simple drawings, and a childlike sincerity, it offered a poignant reflection on loneliness, hope, and the meaning of goodwill.

In the decades since its debut, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has become a bedrock of holiday tradition. It earned prestigious honors — including an Emmy and a Peabody Award — and its soundtrack sold in the millions.

[Honorary Serb]

AMEN!!!!

[CondoleezzaProtege]

🎄👏

[gdzla]

Here you go. #2 is the better quality.
https://archive.org/details/a-charlie-brown-christmas-original-version/A+Charlie+Brown+Christmas+Remastered+(Sort+of).mp4

[WKUHilltopper]

Thanks!

[Nea Wood]

Once I was at Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park (they own the Peanuts characters and have “Camp Snoopy” land,) and they did an ice skating version of the Charlie Brown Christmas special. When they got to the part where Linus tells what Christmas is all about, there was a collective gasp in the audience, and then wild applause. I guess nobody expected they would actually leave that part in. It was quite a cool moment.

[HandyDandy]

Thanks!

[x]

I couldn’t watch the part in Frosty The Snowman when he melted, that was so traumatic.

He didn't melt.

He went off to be with his other family.

Mom didn't want to tell you.

[Drago]

Also available in HQ (as “HQ” as 1965 4:3 can get 😉) on Apple TV for free on two days (12/13 & 12/14):

https://thatchristmasmagic.com/article/how-to-watch-a-charlie-brown-christmas-for-free-in-2025-limited-two-day-event-announced

Also streaming all year on Apple TV plus the following $9.99 purchase outright links:

https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/a-charlie-brown-christmas

[Georgia Girl 2]

My whole family sat in the den and watched it.

[lightman]

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and the Grinch (1966) were definitely a one-two punch against the holiday’s commercialization.

[Natty Bumppo@frontier.net]

While reading Luke, Chapter 2, in a Charlie Brown Christmas is the ONLY time in all of Peanuts that Linus was drawn without his beloved security blanket.

Charles Schultz knew exactly what he was doing.

[rlmorel]

Fascinating...I have not seen that one in years, and did not even remember the reference to Christopher Columbus.

But it reminds me of that saying I sometimes hear that ends with “...you don’t hate them enough.” (Talking about the media usually)

It is a full court ideological press they put on us, thinking we don’t notice it. While it is true many do not notice it...it certainly isn’t universal, as many of us do.

Even small things like the omission of the name “Christopher Columbus”.

[WKUHilltopper]

Thank you

[AppyPappy]

During filming, James Stewart was actively suffering from PTSD and depression due to his service in World War II. Stewart told friends that he related a lot to the character of George Bailey, some of the scenes where George acted out in anger was considered “cathartic” for Stewart and his struggles with mental health. Stewart’s acting became notably darker after the war as he knew he had killed civilians in Germany and occupied Europe. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/trivia/?ref_=tt_dyk_trv