Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus is a Christmas special that aired on ABC, premiering on December 6, 1974. It is based on the story of Virginia O'Hanlon, a seven-year-old girl who wrote to The New York Sun in 1897, and the response by its editor, Francis Church. This program is not to be confused with Yes, Virginia, a 2009 special that debuted on CBS. It was directed by Bill Melendez, who directed many of the Peanuts specials.