*Ø* Blogmanac December 25, 1914 | Silent Night, Holy Night

One of the most heart-warming true Christmas tales I've heard

1914 Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in WWI ceased firing guns and artillery, and commenced to sing Christmas carols. Crossing the No man's land, they traded gifts with the enemy forces that faced them. An estimated two-thirds of the British/German front line held local ceasefires. And the top military brass were not happy about it at all, making sure it never happened again.

At certain points along the Eastern and Western fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing. The British responded in places with carols of their own. Those German soldiers who understood and could speak English called across greetings to 'Tommy' (the popular name for the British private); similar greetings were shouted over to "Fritz".

At the first light of dawn, many of the German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approach the Allied lines across no man's land, calling out "Merry Christmas" in their enemies' native tongues. At first the Allied soldiers suspected it to be a trick, but soon climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the German soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs; the Christmas Truce lasted a few days.

Meanwhile, Scots and Huns were fraternizing in the most genuine possible manner. Every sort of souvenir was exchanged, addresses given and received, photos of families shown etc. One of our fellow offered a German a cigarette; the German said, "Virginian?" Our fellow said, "Aye, straight-cut." The German said, "No thanks, I only smoke Turkish!"
Captain Sir Edward Hulse, Bart., 2nd Scots Guards

The Germans, whose nation had originated the tradition of bringing Christmas trees into their houses and decorating them (introduced into England by Queen Victoria's Consort, Prince Albert) brought Christmas trees into their trenches and dugouts in various places, and had decorated some parts of their parapet.

We got into conversation with the Germans who were anxious to arrange an Armistice during Xmas. A scout named F. Murker went out and met a German Patrol and was given a glass of whisky and some cigars, and a message was sent back saying that if we didn't fire at them they would not fire at us.Edward Hulse, a 25-year old lieutenant in the Scots Guards, writing in his battalion's war history

The truce was fully publicised from the moment news of it reached home. Throughout January 1915 numerous local and national newspapers in Britain printed letter after letter from soldiers who took part; in addition they ran eye-catching headlines ("Extraordinary Unofficial Armistice", "British, Indians and Germans shake hands"), and even printed photographs of the Britons and Germans in No Man's Land. Germany also gave the event press publicity, though on a smaller scale and for a shorter period of time.

Reaction to the Christmas Truce from various sources came in numerous forms. The Allied governments and military high command reacted with indignation ...

This is just a snippet of today's stories. Read all about today in folklore, historical oddities, inspiration and alternatives at the Wilson's Almanac Book of Days, every day. Click today's date when you're there.

Thanks Baz le Tuff for putting me onto this story at breakfast yesterday.