Today's Highlight in History:
In A.D. 336, the first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25th took place in Rome.

On this date:
In 1066, William the Conqueror¹ was crowned king of England.

In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi assembled one of the first Nativity耶稣的诞生 scenes, in Greccio, Italy.

In 1776, General George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack突然袭击 against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey².

In 1818, "Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria.

In 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted算是如此，但是 an unconditional³ pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion叛乱，反抗 that resulted in the Civil War.

In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, suceeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito. (Hirohito was formally enthroned使登基 almost two years later.)

In 1946, comedian⁴ W.C. Fields died in Pasadena, California, at age 66.

In 1977, comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died in Switzerland at age 88.

In 1991, Soviet⁵ President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation辞职，放弃.

In 1995, singer Dean Martin died at his Beverly Hills home at age 78.

Ten years ago: Ousted⁶ Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising起义. Former baseball manager Billy Martin died in a traffic accident in Fenton, New York.

Five years ago: A Palestinian suicide bomber⁷ blew himself up at a Jerusalem bus stop, injuring a dozen other people. Pope John Paul the Second, in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" message, bemoaned惋惜，恸哭 "selfishness and violence" around the world.

One year ago: British mogul有权势的人，显要人物 Richard Branson, American (m) millionaire Steve Fossett and Per Lindstrand of Sweden gave up their attempt to make the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight seven days into their journey, ditching挖沟，水上迫降 off Hawaii.