On this day in history, Dec. 20, 1957, Elvis drafted by US Army while awaiting Christmas at Graceland
'Jailhouse Rock' was the no. 1 song in America the day Presley dutifully picked up his draft notice in person.



Elvis Presley poses for the camera during his military service at a U.S. base in Germany. (Photo by Vittoriano Rastelli/Corbis via Getty Images)

 

1946 It's a wonderful Life premiers in theaters.

"Frank Capra's film starring James Stewart and Donna Reed debuts at New York's Globe Theatre. Though not a critical or box office hit right away, it will become a holiday classic, showing in theaters and on TV for decades to come."

 

Dwight Eisenhower was officially promoted to the rank of General of the Army, a 5-star general rank.
Meanwhile in western Europe, the German Ardennes Offensive salient separated the US 83rd Division from its US First Army command structure, and the German Panzer 6 SS captured Stavelot, Belgium and the US fuel supply stored there.

 

On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. By January, 1861, 6 more Southern states seceded, followed by 4 more, creating the 11 states in the original Confederacy. Things went from bad to worse and within months, the Civil War began.

 

December 21, 1968. Apollo 8 is launched. First time NASA used the Saturn V rocket for manned spaceflight, and the first time they would send men to the moon.

Apparently there were spy photos of USSR's moon rocket that was though to be ready for launch so they decided to send Apollo 8 to the moon even though the lunar module wasn't ready, the astronauts took photos of potential landing sites and took a very historic picture, "Earthrise".

 

On this day in history, Dec. 21, 1945, Gen. Patton dies in Germany after he was paralyzed in auto crash
Accidental death of brilliant, outspoken battlefield commander months after WWII victory sparked conspiracy theories.



A painting for the U.S. Army "Stars and Stripes" newspaper shows U.S. Army General George S. Patton during the Battle of El Guettar in south-central Tunisia, March 1943. (Illustration by Ed Vebell/Getty Images)

 

The German Ardennes Offensive pushes deeper into the Allied front lines as the Germans surrounded Bastogne and captured St. Vith.

 

December 21, 1988: Pan Am flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 passengers and crew on board and 11 on the ground.

And the stinking monster that made the bomb is finally here in the US facing justice.

 

On this day in history, Dec. 22, 1808, Beethoven's triumphant Fifth Symphony debuts in Vienna
Dramatic opening four notes by Germany's most famous composer co-opted by World War II Allies in drive to crush Nazis.


German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) conducting one of his three "Rasumowsky" string quartets, circa 1810. Drawn by the artist Borckmann. (Photo by Rischgitz/Getty Images)

 

A long time ago in a galaxy far far far away...
Momma said, hi little man for the first time.
What a long strange trip its been..

 

Dec. 22, 1944

The German Ardennes Offensive had been slowed by the Allies; however, in the strategically key city of Bastogne, Belgium, the 101st Airborne, lone protectorates of the city, were surrounded by the Nazis. Allied air superiority was diminished by weather leaving the division short of supplies and ammunition from the air. Despite this, a German surrender demand was rebuffed by General McAuliffe (101st commander) with the famous response "Nuts!".

Meanwhile, elements of the US Third Army had turned north to attack the southern flank of the German advance and relieve Bastogne. Germany intelligence was aware of the northward turn of Third Army and Field Marshall von Rundstedt suggested a tactical withdrawal, which was refused by Hitler.

 

in Arles, (southern) France, 1888, Vincent Van Gogh, cut off a portion of his ear, wrapped it and gave it to a prostitute named, Rachel.

 

1779 Benedict Arnold court-martialed for improper conduct.

Benedict Arnold

 

In 1986 The Voyager completes the first nonstop flight around the globe on one load of fuel. The experimental aircraft, piloted by Americans Dick Routan and Jeana Yeager, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California after nine days and four minutes in the sky.

 

Dr. Joseph E. Murray performed the first successful human kidney transplant on December 23, 1954....

 

On December 23, 2013, the former tank mechanic, Mikhail Kalashnikov, died. He invented the AK-47. Whether you like it - or him - this changed the way small arms would be engineered forever. The AK-47 is a marvel of engineering - THE most mass-produced firearm in the history of the world.

 

On this day in 1870 Thomas Nast published a cartoon that forever connected the despicable party with the donkey

 

1943 US President FDR appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces.

34th US President & WWII General

 

On Dec. 24, NORAD adds a special mission: tracking Santa.

Like many origin stories, NORAD’s mission to track Santa began by accident. In 1955 a young child, trying to reach Santa, dialed the misprinted phone number from a department store ad in the local newspaper. Instead of calling Santa, the child called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night who answered the child’s phone call, was quick to realize a mistake had been made and assured the child he was Santa. After more incoming calls, Shoup assigned a duty officer to continue answering calls and a tradition was born, that continued when NORAD was formed in 1958.

Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families across the world. Because of the support, services and resources generously provided by volunteers and our government and corporate contributors, NORAD Tracks Santa has persevered for more than 65 years. 

 

On Christmas Eve of 1914, five months into World War I, something amazing happened: thousands of British and German troops on the Western Front decided to put down their weapons, rise from the trenches, and greet each other peacefully.

In fact, for the next few days, close to 100,000 men, British and German, chatted, exchanged gifts, sang carols and played football. Most importantly, they were even able to bury their dead without fearing for their own safety.

On the evening of December 24th, the first day of the truce, Captain ‘Jack’ Armes of the 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment wrote to his wife and described this incredible occurrence.

Armes did return home to his family after the war; he died in 1948.


24/12/14

I have just been through one of the most extraordinary scenes imaginable. To-night is Xmas Eve and I came up into the trenches this evening for my tour of duty in them. Firing was going on all the time and the enemy’s machine guns were at it hard, firing at us. Then about seven the firing stopped.

I was in my dug-out reading a paper and the mail was being dished out. It was reported that the Germans had lighted their trenches up all along our front. We had been calling to one another for some time Xmas wishes and other things. I went out and they shouted “no shooting” and then somehow the scene became a peaceful one. All our men got out of their trenches and sat on the parapet, the Germans did the same, and they talked to one another in English and broken English. I got on top of the trench and talked German and asked them to sing a German Volkslied, which they did, then our men sang quite well and each side clapped and cheered the other.

I asked a German who sang a solo to sing one of Schumann’s songs, so he sang The Two Grenadiers splendidly. Our men were a good audience and really enjoyed his singing.

Then Pope and I walked across and held a conversation with the German officer in command.

One of his men introduced us properly, he asked my name and then presented me to his officer. I gave the latter permission to bury some German dead who are lying in between us, and we agreed to have no shooting until 12 midnight to-morrow. We talked together, 10 or more Germans gathered round. I was almost in their lines within a yard or so. We saluted each other, he thanked me for permission to bury his dead, and we fixed up how many men were to do it, and that otherwise both sides must remain in their trenches.

Then we wished one another goodnight and a good night’s rest, and a happy Xmas and parted with a salute. I got back to the trench. The Germans sang Die Wacht Am Rhein it sounded well. Then our men sang quite well Christians Awake, it sounded so well, and with a goodnight we all got back into our trenches. It was a curious scene, a lovely moonlit night, the German trenches with small lights on them, and the men on both sides gathered in groups on the parapets.

At times we heard the guns in the distance and an occasional rifle shot. I can hear them now, but about us is absolute quiet. I allowed one or two men to go out and meet a German or two half way. They exchanged cigars, a smoke and talked. The officer I spoke to hopes we shall do the same on New Year’s Day, I said “yes, if I am here”. I felt I must sit down and write the story of this Xmas Eve before I went to lie down. Of course no precautions are relaxed, but I think they mean to play the game. All the same, I think I shall be awake all night so as to be on the safe side. It is weird to think that to-morrow night we shall be at it hard again. If one gets through this show it will be an Xmas time to live in one’s memory. The German who sang had a really fine voice.

Am just off for a walk around the trenches to see all is well. Goodnight.

Xmas Day.

We had an absolutely quiet night in front of us though just to our right and left there was sniping going on. In my trenches and in those of the enemy opposite to us were only nice big fires blazing and occasional songs and conversation. This morning at the Reveille the Germans sent out parties to bury their dead. Our men went out to help, and then we all on both sides met in the middle, and in groups began to talk and exchange gifts of tobacco, etc. All this morning we have been fraternising, singing songs. I have been within a yard in fact to their trenches, have spoken to and exchanged greetings with a Colonel, Staff Officers and several Company Officers. All were very nice and we fixed up that the men should not go near their opponents trenches, but remain about midway between the lines. The whole thing is extraordinary. The men were all so natural and friendly. Several photos were taken, a group of German officers, a German officer and myself, and a group of British and German soldiers.

The Germans are Saxons, a good looking lot, only wishing for peace in a manly way, and they seem in no way at their last gasp. I was astonished at the easy way in which our men and theirs got on with each other.

We have just knocked off for dinner, and have arranged to meet again afterwards until dusk when we go in again and have [illegible] until 9pm, when War begins again. I wonder who will start the shooting! They say “Fire in the air and we will”, and such things, but of course it will start and tomorrow we shall be at it hard killing one another. It is an extraordinary state of affairs which allows of a “Peace Day”. I have never seen men so pleased to have a day off as both sides.

Their opera singer is going to give us a song or two tonight and perhaps I may give them one. Try and imagine two lines of trenches in peace, only 50 yards apart, the men of either side have never seen each other except perhaps a head now and again, and have never been outside in front of their trenches. Then suddenly one day men stream out and nest in friendly talk in the middle. One fellow, a married man, wanted so much a photo of Betty and Nancy in bed, which I had, and I gave him it as I had two: It seems he showed it all round, as several Germans told me afterwards about it. He gave me a photo of himself and family taken the other day which he had just got.

Well must finish now so as to get this off to-day. Have just finished dinner. Pork chop. Plum pudding. Mince pies. Ginger, and bottle of Wine and a cigar, and have drunk to all at home and especially to you my darling one. Must go outside now to supervise the meetings of the men and the Germans.

Will try and write more in a day or two. Keep this letter carefully and send copies to all. I think they will be interested. It did feel funny walking over alone towards the enemy’s trenches to meet someone half-way, and then to arrange a Xmas peace. It will be a thing to remember all one’s life.

Kiss the babies and give them my love. Write me a long letter and tell me all the news. I hope the photos come out all-right. Probably you will see them in some paper.

Yours, Jake