What Happened on December 24?
December 24 is Christmas Eve — a night of waiting, carols, and candlelight for many families — on the same date Silent Night debuted in 1818, the Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 in 1814, and Apollo 8 broadcast from the Moon in 1968.
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1814 — The United States and Britain sign the Treaty of Ghent
On December 24, 1814, American and British diplomats in Belgium signed the Treaty of Ghent — ending the War of 1812. Read the full story →
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1818 — Silent Night is first performed in Oberndorf, Austria
On Christmas Eve 1818, the carol Silent Night was sung for the first time at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Read the full story →
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1851 — Fire destroys much of the Library of Congress collection
On December 24, 1851, a fire in the U.S. Capitol devastated the Library of Congress, burning tens of thousands of books — including much of Jefferson's donated library. Read the full story →
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1906 — Reginald Fessenden makes a pioneering Christmas Eve radio broadcast
On December 24, 1906, inventor Reginald Fessenden transmitted voice and music by radio from Massachusetts — a landmark in broadcasting history. Read the full story →
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1914 — World War I soldiers begin the Christmas Truce along the Western Front
On Christmas Eve 1914, unofficial cease-fires spread in places along World War I's Western Front — enemies singing and meeting in no man's land. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Kit Carson (1809–1868) · Ava Gardner (1922–1990) · Howard Hughes (1905–1976) · Ricky Martin (1971)
Days & observances
Christmas Eve · Nochebuena · National Eggnog Day · Christmas Eve Cookie Plate Day