> The U.S. was born out of Puritanism.

That reminds me: apparently, the Puritans have actually managed to ban the celebration of Christmas and other church feasts in the Britain during the English Interregnum (An Ordinance for Abolishing of Festivals, June 1647):

    Forasmuch as the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Easter and Whitsuntide, and other
    Festivals commonly called Holy-Dayes, have been heretofore superstitiously used and
    observed Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the
    said Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Easter and Whitsuntide, and all other Festival
    dayes, commonly called Holy-dayes, be no longer observed as Festivals or Holy-dayes
    within this Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales, any Law, Statute, Custome,
    Constitution, or Cannon to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding

Talk about the war on Christmas!