Famous Christmases in History

By: A. Hemnani

Christmas is a time of year that everyone looks forward to. Mid November means that the Christmas trees are already up, and the decorations light up the neighbourhoods. It’s a time to celebrate and be grateful for everything and everyone. Families gather together to rejoice, but, Christmas has not always been this way...There have been great events in history that occurred on this very day.  

We have records of history that date back to 800 AD on Christmas day where Charlemagne was crowned the “Emperor of the Romans”. Although at this time they did not celebrate Christmas like we do today, they had some celebrations to help get through the cold winter months.  

On Christmas day of 1066 AD William the conqueror was crowned the King of England. This happened, after defeating King Harold II at the famous Battle of Hastings, William I 'The Conqueror' was crowned King at Westminster Abbey.  

On Christmas day of 1642 the famous mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author who was described in his time as a natural philosopher, was born. Isaac Newton’s birthday was on this very jolly day. In 1776, on the other hand, George Washington crossed the Delaware river.  

On Christmas day of 1914, was the in which the famous day of truce in the trenches took place. All the soldiers were spending Christmas away from their families, because of the war, and on Christmas day soldiers from both sides put down their weapons and, for a short time, there was peace.  
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The Christmas traditions and celebrations have been shaped over the course of years. It is important to remember this when we celebrate this joyous occasion.  

Bibliography:
​“Historical Events That Took Place on Christmas Day.” Sky HISTORY TV Channel, www.history.co.uk/articles/historical-events-that-took-place-on-christmas-day. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.