December 24: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Over 30 civilians were massacred by Myanmar’s military in Mo So village.

Eleven kindergarten children were killed after a minivan plunged into a roadside pond in Jiangxi, China.

Rudy Giuliani was named “Person of the Year” by Time Magazine.

The New York Mayor was commended for his leadership during the 9/11 terror attacks by being named Person of the Year. He was also admired for improving New York City's safety after the attacks.

The Texas Seven held up a sports store.

This group of escaped prisoners dubbed with the nickname "The Texas Seven" robbed an Oshman's Sporting Goods where they stole at least 40 guns and sets of ammunition. A police officer who responded to the call, Officer Aubrey Hawkins, was ambushed and shot 11 times, and was the only casualty.

Walt Disney’s “Aristocats” was released.

The crew of NASA’s Apollo 8 became the first humans to enter the Moon’s orbit.

Millions of people worldwide tuned in to hear the news that Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders became the first humans to orbit the moon.

Unofficial ceasefires sprang up across World War I’s Western Front.

King George I established the Greek Presidential Guard as the royal escort.

Established by Royal Decree, this royal escort was initially called the Agema, which initially resembled a small, independent battalion. The battalion itself was exclusively manned by elite soldiers and was broken up into two infantry companies and one cavalry company. Over the years, their name changed to the Palace Guard, and then in 1973, they became the Greek Presidential Guard.

Several Confederate veterans formed the Ku Klux Klan in Pulaski, Tennessee.

The first great fire of early San Francisco started on the east side of the Plaza.

It was the first of seven great fires in 2 years.

The Christmas carol “Silent Night” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber was first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria.

The Treaty of Ghent was signed, which ended the War of 1812 between the US, the UK, and their allies.

A plot to blow up Napoleon Bonaparte with a barrel of gunpowder failed.

James Cook visited Christmas Island.

Even though James Cook was not the first explorer to discover Christmas Island, he was the one to give it the name "Christmas Island" since he visited the island on Christmas Eve. These days the island is officially called Kiritimati.

Jan van Riebeeck departed for Cape of Good Hope to found the first permanent European settlement.