On this date:
In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned king of England.
In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi assembled one of the first Nativity scenes, in Greccio, Italy.
In 1776, General George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey.
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 an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion that resulted in the Civil War.
In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, suceeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito. (Hirohito was formally enthroned almost two years later.)
In 1946, comedian W.C. Fields died in Pasadena, California, at age 66.
In 1977, comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died in Switzerland at age 88.
In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation.
In 1995, singer Dean Martin died at his Beverly Hills home at age 78.
Ten years ago: Ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising. Former baseball manager Billy Martin died in a traffic accident in Fenton, New York.
Five years ago: A Palestinian suicide bomber 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 "selfishness and violence" around the world.
One year ago: British mogul 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 off Hawaii.
"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind."
-- Mary Ellen Chase, American writer (1887-1973).