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.

ROSS SIMPSON

Steven Allan Spielberg is 73  years old today.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is considered one of the founding
pioneers of the New Hollywood era and one of the most popular
directors and producers in film history. He started in Hollywood
directing television and several minor theatrical releases,
becoming a household name as the director of Jaws (1975).  

MIKE GRACIA

During World War II on this day in 1944, the Battle of the Bulge began in
Belgium. It was the final major German counteroffensive in the war.

The Germans achieved a total surprise attack due to a combination of
Allied overconfidence, preoccupation with Allied offensive plans, and
poor aerial reconnaissance due to bad weather. American forces bore
the brunt of the attack and incurred their highest casualties of any
operation during the war. The battle also severely depleted Germany’s
armored forces, and they were largely unable to replace them.

The "Bulge" was the largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the
United States in World War II and the third deadliest campaign in
American history.

Inspired by the spirited leadership of Benjamin Rush Milam, the newly
created Texan Army takes possession of the city of San Antonio, an
important victory for the Republic of Texas in its war for independence
from Mexico. 

Benjamin Rush Milam (1788 – 1835)

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Roosevelt to a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress on December 8,
1941, one day after the Empire of Japan’s attack on the U.S. naval
base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the Japanese declaration of war
on the United States and the British Empire.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Declaration of
War against Japan on December 8, 1941.

John Winston Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)