By Laura McNeill

December 25, 2025

The Morning Wire team is off today in observance of the Christmas holiday, instead tune in for a special newsletter from Laura McNeill, deputy director of AP's donations team. Be sure you are signed up for AP News Alerts so you don't miss any major breaking news.

Merry Christmas, Morning Wire subscribers.

Today I want to share a few beautiful images of Christmas from around the world and introduce you to a special team at the Associated Press: the photo archivists.

This small team of staffers in AP’s New York City and London offices research the archive, find historical photos and scan them to be available to AP customers online. Their job is to ensure the accuracy of captions and the best possible quality of the photos for those who depend on the AP wire service and website.

The AP has always been at the forefront of photojournalism, capturing the moments that shape our world and connecting audiences with history as it unfolds. AP photographers use sophisticated cameras to transmit their photos directly from the field to AP global photo desk editors, who send them to newsrooms around the world in a matter of seconds.

Photos from the AP photo archive document Christmas celebrations from around the world, throughout history

This year the AP celebrated 90 years of AP Wirephoto, the technology that transmitted photos in 1935, bringing unforgettable photos of pivotal cultural moments, historical milestones and groundbreaking innovations to millions worldwide at near instantaneous speed.

The AP photo archive is a catalogue of history throughout the decades, including how holidays like Christmas are celebrated around the world.

Before you power down your devices to spend time with loved ones today, enjoy this selection of Christmas photos from our archivists.

From the traditional yuletide rituals to the more unique, these are just some of the ways the festive season has been celebrated throughout the years. If you’d like to see even more photos of Christmas, check out their blog post.

And once again, thank you for being a loyal reader of AP’s flagship newsletter.

If you’d like to help support the work AP does every day, including maintaining this treasure trove of photos that document history’s biggest moments, consider becoming an AP donor.

Thanks, and happy holidays.

With gratitude,

Laura McNeill

Deputy Director

AP Donor Program

P.S. Here's a few holiday stories you may have missed!

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