Europa
- Charlemagne Crowned Emperor (800 AD)
On December 25, 800, Charlemagne was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by Pope Leo III in Rome. This event marked the revival of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire, profoundly shaping European history. - William the Conqueror Crowned King of England (1066 AD)
On December 25, 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. His reign ended over 600 years of Anglo-Saxon rule and began the Norman era, which brought significant changes to England and Europe. - Isaac Newton Born (1642)
The renowned English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton was born on December 25, 1642. Newton’s contributions to science, especially his laws of motion and gravitation, had a lasting impact on European and global scientific thought. - Roman Festival of Sol Invictus (274 AD)
December 25 was celebrated in ancient Rome as the festival of Sol Invictus, the “Unconquered Sun.” This pagan festival influenced the later Christian choice of December 25 as the date to celebrate Christmas.
America
Christmas Day (December 25) is significant in America primarily as a federal holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, but several notable historical events have also occurred on this date:
- 1776: Washington Crosses the Delaware
On Christmas night, General George Washington led 2,400 American troops across the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey, during the Revolutionary War. This bold move resulted in a crucial victory for the Continental Army and is considered a turning point in the war. - 1821: Birth of Clara Barton
Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and a pioneering nurse and humanitarian, was born on December 25, 1821. - 1907: Birth of Cab Calloway
Influential American jazz singer and bandleader Cab Calloway was born on this day. - 1946: Death of W.C. Fields
The famous American actor and comedian W.C. Fields died on December 25, 1946.
Asia
- 1932: Gansu Earthquake in China
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Gansu province, China, killing 275 people. - 1941: Hong Kong Surrenders to Japan
During World War II, British-ruled Hong Kong surrendered to Japanese forces after 18 days of fighting, marking the start of Japanese occupation. - 1947: Constitution of the Republic of China
The Constitution of the Republic of China officially went into effect. - 1926: Hirohito Becomes Emperor of Japan
Hirohito ascended the throne as the 124th Emperor of Japan, beginning a reign that would last until 1989. - 1979: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The USSR began its invasion of Afghanistan, launching a conflict that would last nearly a decade.
Africa
- Ancient African Solstice Celebrations
Long before Christianity, December 25 was celebrated in Africa as a day marking the rebirth of the Sun after the winter solstice. Ancient Egyptians, for example, associated this date with the birth of Osiris, Horus, and the Sun God Ra, and held festivals that symbolized renewal and the return of light. - First Fruit Festivals
In ancient Africa, December 25 was also celebrated as the first fruit festival, a tradition still observed in some African communities today. The festival involved rituals of thanksgiving for the harvest, including the biting of the first pumpkin and the offering of the first fruits to the gods. This tradition is reflected in celebrations such as Kwanzaa and Incwala. - 2003: UTA Flight 141 Crash in Benin
On December 25, 2003, UTA Flight 141, a Boeing 727, crashed at Cotonou Airport in Benin, killing 141 people. - 1985: Death of Dian Fossey in Rwanda
The body of Dian Fossey, a renowned American zoologist and conservationist known for her work with mountain gorillas, was found in Rwanda on December 25, 1985.
This day in history: 25 december