by Patricia Bradley
On the news tonight I heard a TV anchor tell the story of the
Christmas Truce that happened one hundred years ago during WWI. I looked it up and this is
what I found:
December 25, 1914 Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the
German troops along the Eastern and Western fronts cease firing their guns and
artillery, and start singing Christmas carols and playing brass musical
instruments; at first light, many German soldiers emerge from their trenches
and cross No Man's Land, calling out Merry Christmas in English and French; at
first the Allied soldiers suspect a trick, but soon they are shaking hands with
the Boche; swapping cigarettes and plum pudding, and even playing soccer; the Christmas
Truce lasts a few days, then it is back to the bloody conflict of World War I;
there are no more Christmas Truces.
A little more research revealed that the German soldiers put up
Christmas trees on their parapets. There was no record of a soccer game being played, but I'd like to think it happened. After all, if a Christmas Truce during the bloodiest war ever can happen, why not a soccer game?
I found this photo taken of the troops during
the truce.
 |
| German and British soldiers |
Then, I wondered what else had happened on Christmas
in the past. Here are a few things I found:
December 25, 336, the first recorded Christmas celebration in Rome
December 25, 1223, St
Francis of Assisi assembles first Nativity scene
December 25, 1621 Gov
William Bradford forbids game playing on this day
December 25, 1643 Christmas
Island is founded and named by Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship
Company vessel, the Royal Mary
December 25, 1758 Halley's
comet was first sighted by Johann Georg Palitzsch
December 25, 1776 George
Washington and his army cross the Delaware River to attack the Kingdom of Great
Britain's Hessian mercenaries in Trenton, New Jersey
December 25, 1868, Despite bitter opposition, President A Johnson grants unconditional
pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion (the Civil War
A lot more things happened
on December 25 and you can check them out at Dates in History.
To everyone celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, I want to wish that is your best ever. May you have a happy and productive and restful 2015.
Or is that an oxymoron?
Or is that an oxymoron?
Really interesting facts. Thanks for digging them up.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice holiday.
Thanks! Hope you have a great holiday, too.
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ReplyDeleteI've heard of the Union and Confederates pausing during the holiday.
Great info, thanks for sharing.
I even know families who put aside their differences at Christmas. lol. Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
DeletePatricia, I love these kinds of historical fun facts. Too bad that Christmas spirit couldn't last all year long. Have a great holiday season!
ReplyDeleteCarol, it would be great if we could carry the Christmas spirit around all the time!
DeleteI enjoyed these historical tidbits, Patricia. Thanks so much for sharing. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBritney, so glad you enjoyed them. I love historical facts.
DeletePatricia - I saw that same report and find it so encouraging. The other facts are interesting as well. I do think, though, that productive and restful can't really happen unless you test mattresses for a living, or something. I think preparing to be creative (in writing, at least) kind of sets you on the edge of yourself - the observer rather than the participant in life - and that pushes relaxation out of the way. Unless we could produce and relax on alternate days? Why not? Thanks for the good post.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Muriel! And I totally agree that writing pushes us to the edge of ourselves. Merry Christmas!
DeleteThank you for this interesting post, Patricia. I think knowing something about the history and the development of a holiday can enrich our experience of it.
ReplyDeleteI think Muriel's right, about being on the edge of yourself. A very interesting post! Merry Christmas, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteI've read that account before, and I love it. It's such a hopeful story of peace, even if it was short-lived.
ReplyDelete