Welcome to our blog where we delve into the annals of time to explore significant moments that have shaped our world. This time, we’re focusing on a special date that holds more than just festive cheer. In this edition titled “Major Historical Events on December 25 – Today in History,” we’ll journey through the centuries to uncover pivotal events that occurred on Christmas Day. From groundbreaking scientific achievements to profound political changes, December 25th is not just a day of celebration but also a date marked by important historical milestones.
Major Historical Events on December 25 – Today in History
352: First Definite Christmas Celebration on December 25th
In the year 352, the first known celebration of Christmas on December 25th was recorded. This date was chosen to coincide with the Roman winter solstice and various pagan festivals, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues worldwide to this day.
597: England Adopts the Julian Calendar
In 597, England adopted the Julian calendar, aligning itself with the Roman and later Christian world in terms of timekeeping and marking an important step in the synchronization of dates and holidays across Europe.
1482: Edward IV’s Christmas Feast
King Edward IV of England hosted a grand Christmas feast at Eltham Palace in 1482. Attended by 2,000 people, this event was a lavish display of royal generosity and celebration during the medieval period.
1492: Columbus’ Santa María Sinks
In 1492, during his first voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus’s flagship, the Santa María, ran aground and sank on the north coast of Hispaniola. This led to the establishment of a colony by the stranded crew as Columbus returned to Spain.
1620: French Huguenots’ Intention to Create a State within the State
In 1620, French Huguenots declared their intention to create a “state within the state” during a gathering in La Rochelle, highlighting the religious and social tensions in France and their desire for autonomy.
1656: Christiaan Huygens Invents the First Pendulum Clock
Dutch astronomer and mathematician Christiaan Huygens created the first pendulum clock in 1656, revolutionizing timekeeping with increased accuracy and paving the way for the modern clocks we use today.
1741: Celsius Introduces Centigrade Temperature Scale
Astronomer Anders Celsius introduced the Centigrade temperature scale in 1741, a significant scientific development providing a universal method for temperature measurement.
1758: Return of Halley’s Comet
Johann Georg Palitzsch first sighted the return of Halley’s Comet in 1758, confirming Edmond Halley’s prediction that the comet orbits the Earth every 76 years, a milestone in the field of astronomy.
1760: Jupiter Hammon’s “An Evening Thought”
In 1760, Jupiter Hammon, an African American slave, composed the poetry broadside “An Evening Thought,” marking the first poetry published by an African American.
1776: Washington Crosses the Delaware
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey on December 25, 1776, leading to a surprise attack and decisive victory against the Hessians at Trenton.
1818: “Silent Night” Sung for the First Time
The first known Christmas carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night” (“Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht”), was sung in Austria in 1818, eventually becoming one of the most beloved carols worldwide.
1831: Christmas as a Holiday in Louisiana & Arkansas
Louisiana and Arkansas became the first states to observe Christmas as a holiday in 1831, signaling the growing recognition and celebration of Christmas across the United States.
1888: First Indoor Baseball Game
The first indoor baseball game was played at the fairgrounds in Philadelphia in 1888, with the Uptowners defeating the Downtowners 6-1. This event marked a new phase in the adaptation and popularity of the sport.
1917: “Why Marry” Wins Pulitzer
“Why Marry,” the first drama to win the Pulitzer Prize, premiered in NYC in 1917, reflecting the evolving nature of American theater and the significance of the Pulitzer in recognizing literary excellence.
1938: Vivien Leigh Announced as Scarlett O’Hara
In 1938, George Cukor announced that Vivien Leigh would play Scarlett O’Hara in the film adaptation of “Gone With The Wind,” a pivotal moment in cinema history.
1947: Constitution of the Republic of China
The Constitution of the Republic of China came into effect in 1947, marking a significant moment in Chinese history and the establishment of governance principles that would last for decades.
1968: Apollo 8’s Christmas Broadcast from the Moon
The crew of NASA’s Apollo 8 mission broadcasted live while orbiting the moon in 1968, reading passages from the Bible to celebrate Christmas. This historic broadcast provided a poignant moment of unity and reflection for millions back on Earth.
1971: Daeyeonggak Hotel Fire in Seoul
The Daeyeonggak Hotel in Seoul experienced the worst hotel fire in history in 1971, resulting in the tragic loss of 164 lives. This devastating event marked one of the deadliest fires in modern history.
1971: Longest Game in NFL History
The longest game in NFL history took place in 1971 as the Miami Dolphins beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in a double overtime AFL playoff game, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
1973: First Pictures of a Comet from Space
In 1973, NASA astronauts Jerry Carr and William Pogue aboard Skylab 4 captured the first pictures of a comet from space, specifically Comet Kohoutek, marking a significant milestone in space observation and research.
1974: Cyclone Tracy Destroys Darwin, Australia
Cyclone Tracy virtually destroyed the city of Darwin, Australia, in 1974. This natural disaster is one of the most devastating in Australian history, leading to significant changes in cyclone preparedness and building codes.
1983: First Live Telecast of Christmas Parade at EPCOT
In 1983, the first live telecast of the Christmas Parade took place at the EPCOT Centre in Disney World, Florida, offering viewers around the world a glimpse of the festive celebrations at the famous theme park.
1989: Record Cold Temperature in Japan
Japanese scientists achieved a record cold temperature of -271.8°C in 1989, the coldest temperature ever recorded at the time, showcasing advancements in cryogenic research.
1989: Trial and Execution of Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu
Romanian Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena were tried and executed by firing squad on the same day in 1989. They were charged with genocide and personal enrichment, marking a dramatic end to their repressive regime.
1996: 1,500th Anniversary of Catholicism in France
In 1996, France commemorated the 1,500th anniversary of Catholicism in the nation, marking the baptism of Clovis I in Rheims and celebrating centuries of religious tradition and influence.
1997: US Movie Box Office Receipts Surpass $6 Billion
For the first time in 1997, US movie box office receipts passed the $6 billion mark, reflecting the growing influence and financial power of the film industry.
2008: Phil Jackson Wins 1,000th Game
In 2008, Phil Jackson became the sixth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games when his LA Lakers beat the Boston Celtics at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the sport.
2009: Liu Xiaobo Sentenced in China
Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 11 years in prison in Beijing, China, for “inciting subversion of state power” in 2009. His case drew international attention and criticism, highlighting concerns about human rights and freedom of expression in China.
2016: Russian Military Plane Crash
A Russian military defense plane crashed into the Black Sea shortly after taking off from Sochi airport in 2016, killing all 92 people on board. The incident was a significant tragedy, impacting families and the military community.
2021: Launch of the James Webb Space Telescope
NASA, in a joint effort with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency, launched the James Webb Space Telescope on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in 2021. This ambitious project aims to expand our understanding of the universe through high-resolution observations.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on December 23 – Today in History
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