December 25
Christmas
1875
Birth of Jessie Wallace Hughan, founder of the War Resisters League.
1914
Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in WWI ceased firing their guns and artillery, and began to sing Christmas carols. 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.
German officer in the trenches with British soldier
At first the Allied soldiers suspected it to be a trick, but they too soon climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the German soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings; the Christmas Truce lasted several days.
German and British soldiers fraternize
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 