December 25th, 2009

Today in History

2004:
Cassini orbiter releases Huygens probe which will land on Saturn's moon, Titan on January 14, 2005.

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.

1932:
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Gansu, China kills ~70,000 people

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.

1223:
Saint Francis of Assisi assembles the first Nativity scene.