Some Christmas Dates

AD 336, 1st recorded celebration of Christmas on Dec. 25 occurs in Rome.

AD 376, In Milan, Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, forces the emperor Theodosius to perform public penance for his massacres

AD 597, England adopts Julian calendar

AD 795, Adrian I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

AD 800, The pope crowns Charlemagne emperor in Rome

AD 1066, William the Conqueror crowned king of England

AD 1223, St. Francis of Assisi assembles 1st nativity scene (Greccio, Italy)

AD 1651, Massachusetts orders 5 shilling fine for observing Christmas

AD 1818, "Silent Night" by Franz Gruber & Joseph Mohr sung for 1st time

AD 1818, 1st US performance of Handel's "Messiah," Boston

AD 1831, La. & Ark. becomes 1st states to observe Christmas as a legal holiday

AD 1914, German and British troops on the Western Front declare an unofficial truce to celebrate Christmas during World War I