December 25

Saturday 25, 2004:

Cassini orbiter releases Huygens probe which will land on Saturn's moon, Titan on January 14, 2005.

Wednesday 25, 2002:

The New Delhi Metro opens.

Wednesday 25, 1991:

Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as president of the Soviet Union (the union itself is dissolved the next day).

Monday 25, 1989:

Nicolae Ceau?escu, former communist dictator of Romania, and his wife Elena are condemned to death and executed under a wide range of charges.

Sunday 25, 1977:

Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin meets in Egypt with President of Egypt Anwar Sadat

Wednesday 25, 1974:

Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin, Northern Territory Australia

Tuesday 25, 1973:

The ARPANET crashes when a programming bug causes all ARPANET traffic to be routed through the server at Harvard University, causing the server to freeze.

Friday 25, 1953:

A fire breaks out in Shek Kip Mei, Hong Kong.

Thursday 25, 1947:

The Constitution of the Republic of China goes into effect.

Thursday 25, 1941:

Hong Kong surrenders to the Japanese.

Monday 25, 1939:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is introduced by Montgomery Ward stores

Sunday 25, 1932:

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Gansu, China kills ~70,000 people

Saturday 25, 1926:

Hirohito becomes Emperor of Japan, succeeding the Taisho Emperor.

Tuesday 25, 1917:

Why Marry?, first dramatic play to win a Pulitzer Prize, opens at the Astor Theatre in New York City

Friday 25, 1914:

World War I: The Christmas truce: Just after midnight on Christmas morning, German and British troops on the Western Front cease firing their guns and artillery and sing Christmas carols. Crossing the No man's land, they trade gifts with the enemy forces that face them. They also played a game of soccer with a makeshift soccer ball (fashioned by the Germans) This truce lasts for several days, depending on the location.

Friday 25, 1868:

Ezo Republic founded in Hokkaido by Shogunate rebels.

Monday 25, 1837:

United States forces defeat Seminole Indians.

Friday 25, 1818:

The first performance of "Silent Night" takes place in the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria).

Wednesday 25, 1776:

George Washington and his army cross the Delaware River to attack the monarchy's Hessian mercenaries in Trenton, New Jersey.

Saturday 25, 1599:

The city of Natal, Brazil is founded.

Monday 25, 1223:

Saint Francis of Assisi assembles the first Nativity scene.

Tuesday 25, 1066:

Coronation of William the Conqueror as king of England, at Westminster Abbey, London.

Monday 25, 800:

Coronation of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, in Rome.

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