The Trump administration has unveiled a new government website, MerryChristmas.gov, designed to blend holiday cheer with a reflection on the federal government’s role in shaping American culture, design, and public life. Rolled out under the theme “America by Design,” the site offers a twelve-day series highlighting moments when government-backed initiatives left a lasting imprint on the nation’s visual and civic identity.
According to the website, the project is meant to serve as both a seasonal celebration and an educational reminder of what collective public effort has produced over time. “Over twelve days, we’re highlighting moments of design, innovation, and public work initiated by the federal government that helped shape the nation,” the site explains. “Consider it a small holiday reminder of what America can build together.”
Each day features a different example of federal design history, ranging from iconic seals and architecture to posters and public art. Much of the material comes from periods when the federal government played an unusually visible role in shaping everyday life, particularly during the Great Depression. The site is overseen by the National Design Studio and draws heavily on archival material that reflects how government initiatives once directly influenced American aesthetics and communication.
One prominent highlight is the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project, which operated during the 1930s and early 1940s. The program employed thousands of artists to create posters promoting public health, education, national parks, and cultural events at a time of severe economic hardship. “Its bold shapes and clear typography helped define American public communication,” the site notes, adding that many of the surviving posters remain among the most recognizable examples of 20th-century federal design.
A featured image shows a stylized travel poster in deep blue tones, depicting figures inside a massive cave formation. Originally created to promote U.S. parks and travel, the artwork underscores how federal art programs once played a key role in encouraging tourism, civic pride, and a shared national identity.
Beyond historical content, MerryChristmas.gov incorporates interactive and festive elements. Visitors can check a live weather tracker displaying conditions at both the North Pole and the White House, adding a playful holiday touch to the otherwise educational experience.
With its minimalist layout, gentle snowfall animation, and calendar-style navigation, the site blends modern digital design with historical storytelling. The result is a holiday-themed portal that seeks to make government history approachable, visually engaging, and relevant to a broad audience during the Christmas season.
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