📖Today In History: Christmas Revolt, The Christmas Truce, Charlemagne, Underwear Bomber

HO HO HO! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! 🎄🕎 Whether you’re celebrating today or just taking a well-earned break, we’re here to keep you company with a look back at last week’s incredible episodes. From the shocking inner workings of the NXIVM cult to the fascinating ways ancient civilizations viewed the cosmos, these stories offered unique insights into history and the mysteries of our world. Let’s dive into the highlights! 🔪👽

Crime: On December 25, 1989, Romania witnessed a pivotal moment in its history when the tyrannical communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was executed by firing squad after a swift and decisive summary trial for the genocide and other crimes against the innocent people of Romania. The revolt against Ceausescu's oppressive rule began in mid-December in the western city of Timisoara, where citizens bravely took to the streets. However, their initial attempts were met with violent suppression, as Ceausescu ordered his forces to quash the uprising with ruthlessness. Despite the regime's efforts to maintain control, the spirit of resistance could not be contained. The dissent that ignited in Timisoara quickly spread like wildfire throughout the country, capturing the hearts and minds of Romanians who yearned for freedom and change.

War: On December 25, 1914, during World War I, German troops stopped the fight and sang Christmas carols. Soldiers from Russia, France, and Britain heard and joined in. At dawn, German soldiers approached Allied lines unarmed, greeting them with "Merry Christmas." Initially wary, the Allies joined them, exchanging gifts and singing. Some even played soccer. This Christmas Truce occurred five months after the war began and was one of the last instances of chivalry between enemies.

Religion: On December 25, 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor in Rome by Pope Leo III, marking the pinnacle of his influence and authority. This coronation established him as the first emperor in the Western region in over three centuries, thereby creating tensions with the Eastern Roman Empire based in Constantinople. By assuming the imperial title, Charlemagne is regarded as a precursor to the lineage of Holy Roman Emperors, a succession that continued until the nineteenth century. In his roles as king and emperor, Charlemagne implemented numerous reforms across administration, law, education, military organization, and religion, which had a profound impact on the shaping of Europe for subsequent generations. His reign ushered in a period of cultural flourishing known as the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne passed away in 814 and was laid to rest at Aachen Cathedral in Aachen, the city that served as his imperial capital.

Crime: On December 25, 2009, a young man named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, made headlines for attempting to set off explosives hidden in his underwear while on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan. This alarming incident was linked to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), who claimed they provided him with the bomb and training. Although there were ties to al-Qaeda and Anwar al-Awlaki, the latter denied having ordered the attack. Abdulmutallab faced serious charges in a U.S. federal court, including trying to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to murder 289 people. On February 16, 2012, he received a hefty sentence of four life terms plus 50 years, with no chance of parole. He is currently serving his time at ADX Florence, a high-security federal prison in Colorado.

For those celebrating Christmas or Chanukah, we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday! 🎁🕯️ If you missed any of last week’s episodes, head over to the channel to catch up 👌 We have some super exciting content coming at you next week! 🔥👀

- Jaime