December 25: This Day in History

Let’s take a look at some historical events that took place on December 25.

In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, George Washington with his soldiers attacked Hessian forces. They crossed the Delaware River and prepared an unanticipated attack at Trenton, New Jersey.

In A.D. 336, in Rome, the first mentioning of Christmas took place.

In 1066, England has got the new king – William the Conqueror.

In 1818, in Oberndorf, Austria, “Silent Night (Stille Nacht)” was performed for the first time at the Church of St. Nikolaus. The event took place at the Christmas Midnight Mass.

In 1926, Hirohito was crowned the new emperor of Japan. His father and predecessor was Emperor Yoshihito.

In 1931, the entire opera “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck was broadcasted over the radio from New York’s Metropolitan Opera. It was the first time in history when such a piece of music was broadcasted live.

In 1940, on Broadway, the Rogers & Hart musical “Pal Joey” was premiered. It was the first of 374 performances.

In 1946, in Pasadena, California, comedian W.C. Fields died. He was 66 years old.

In 1961, Pope John XXIII officially announced the Second Vatican Council. The event took place in October 1962.

In 1977, in Switzerland, the legendary comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died. He was 88 years old.

In 1989, during an uprising in Romania, President Nicolae Ceausescu was executed along with his wife Elena. In New York, near Binghamton, former baseball manager Billy Martin died in an accident at the age of 61.

In 1991, the eight and last leader of the USSR, Mikhail S. Gorbachev announced his resignation due to the collapse of the communist regime.

In 2006, James Brown, also known as the Godfather of Soul, died at the age of 73, in Atlanta.

In 2007, a visitor of the San Francisco Zoo was killed by a tiger that escaped its cage. The tiger was killed. Russia successfully tested new intercontinental missile which can carry several nuclear warheads.

In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI called to stop violence in Syria in his Christmas message. He also mentioned the Middle East issue and religious freedom in China. In North Carolina, Chicago gangster Frank Calabrese Sr. died at the age of 75.

In 2016, a Russian plane Tu-154 with 92 people on board crashed into the Black Sea. The plane fled to Syria. Pope Francis also mentioned Syria in his speech and wished peace for those who suffer from terrorism. Famous singer and former WHAM! member George Michael died at the age of 53 in his home in Goring, England. His song “Last Christmas” was one of the most popular Christmas songs for many years.