Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops
engaged in World War I cease firing their guns and artillery and commence
to sing Christmas carols. At certain points along the eastern and western
fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands
joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

At the first light of dawn, many of the German soldiers emerged from their
trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out
“Merry Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues. At first, the Allied
soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed
out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men
exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and
songs. There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides
playing a good-natured game of soccer.

A sculpture commemorating the World War One Christmas truce was unveiled in 2014 in Liverpool.

SANDY KOZEL

President Coolidge (center) illuminating the community Christmas
tree, south of the White House.

On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge presses a button and
lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House
grounds.

Not only was this the first White House “community” Christmas tree, but
it was the first to be decorated with electric lights–a strand of 2,500 red,
white and green bulbs. The balsam fir came from Coolidge’s home state
of Vermont and stood 48 feet tall. Several musical groups performed at
the tree-lighting ceremony, including the Epiphany Church choir and the
U.S. Marine Band. Later that evening, President Coolidge and first lady
Grace were treated to carols sung by members of Washington, D.C.’s
First Congregational Church.

President Coolidge and the first lady Grace.

The Washington Monument is seen in the background.

John Calvin Coolidge Jr.
(July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933)         
        
        
        
        
First Lady Melania Trump, joined by President Donald J. Trump,
lights the 2019 National Christmas Tree during the 97th annual
National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Thursday, Dec. 5,
2019, on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. 
        
        
       

“Ladies’ Home Journal”

Cracker Jack is a brand of snack food consisting of molasses-flavored,
caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged
with a prize of trivial value inside. The Cracker Jack name and slogan,
"The More You Eat The More You Want", were registered in 1896. Some
food historians consider it the first junk food.

Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890)  Painting by Australian artist John Russell.          

On December 23, 1888, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, suffering from
severe depression, cuts off the lower part of his left ear with a razor    
while staying in Arles, France.  He later documented the event in a
painting titled Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Today, Van Gogh is
regarded as an artistic genius and his masterpieces sell for record-
breaking prices; however, during his lifetime, he was a poster boy
for tortured starving artists and sold only one painting.    

A self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh with a bandaged ear. On
display in the en:Courtauld Gallery.

Still Life with Open Bible, Extinguished Candle and Novel also Still
Life with Bible, 1885.

Wheatfield with Crows, 1890.