A 1843 first edition of the classic book "A Christmas Carol"
by Charles Dickens.

Fox News) – "A Christmas Carol," a globally celebrated timeless
tale of heartwarming human redemption crafted as a haunting
holiday ghost story, was published in London on this day in
history, Dec. 19, 1843. 

Except for the biblical narrative of the birth of Christ itself, "A
Christmas Carol" may be the world’s most well-known and
most frequently retold tale of the holiday.

English author Dickens, 31 years old at the time, had recently
gained literary celebrity following the release of "Sketches by
Boz," "The Pickwick Papers" and "Oliver Twist."

"’A Christmas Carol’ was written over a few short weeks to
ensure its publication before Christmas 1843, but its message
has stood the test of time," notes the Charles Dickens Museum
of London. 

Charles John Huffam Dickens
( 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870)

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS BY NORMAN ROCKWELL.
   

Comedian Bob Hope gave what he says is his last Christmas show
to U.S. servicemen in Saigon. Hope was a star of stage, radio, TV
and over 50 feature films.
 

Hope was one of many Hollywood stars who followed the tradition
of traveling overseas to entertain American troops stationed abroad.

The 1972 show marked Hope’s ninth consecutive Christmas Vietnam appearance. Although some antiwar protesters criticized Hope for supporting government policies in Vietnam, the comedian said he believed it was his responsibility to lift spirits by entertaining the
troops.

The USO Christmas Show at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.