800CE
Politics
Charlemagne Crowned
Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans in St. Peter's Basilica, laying the foundation for the Holy Roman Empire.
Daily Chronicle
December 25
5 Historical Records
1776CE
War
Washington Crosses the Delaware
General George Washington leads 2,400 Continental Army soldiers across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night for a surprise attack on Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey — a turning point in the American Revolution.
1899CE
Birth
Humphrey Bogart Born
American screen legend widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinema history. Known for classics like Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and The African Queen, he became the definitive icon of film noir.
1914CE
War
WWI Christmas Truce
British and German soldiers lay down their weapons along the Western Front to celebrate Christmas, an unofficial and temporary ceasefire.
1991CE
Politics
Gorbachev Resigns
Mikhail Gorbachev officially resigns as President of the Soviet Union, marking the final legal dissolution of the USSR.