This Day in History for December 24 – First National Christmas Tree Lighting and More

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1818 – ‘Silent Night’ is composed by Franz Gruber (More info)

1914 – An extraordinary Christmas truce begins during World War I (More info)

1923 – President Calvin Coolidge lights the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House grounds (More info)

1955 – NORAD tracks Santa for the first time in what will become an annual Christmas Eve tradition (More info)

1972 – In Saigon, Bob Hope gives his last Christmas show to US servicemen (More info)