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.

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. 
        
        
       

SANDY KOZEL

Apollo 8 astronauts, James A. Lovell, William Anders and Frank 
Borman, reached the moon on this day in 1968. They orbited the 
moon 10 times before coming back to Earth. Seven months later 
man first landed on the moon.

Apollo 8 crew members (from left) James A. Lovell Jr., William A.
Anders and Frank Borman.