December 25
1066
William the Conqueror was crowned King of England.
1776
George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised the Hessians.
1868
President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion that resulted in the Civil War.
1926
Hirohito became emperor of Japan.
1977
British film actor, director, and producer Charlie Chaplin died in Switzerland at age 88.
1989
Former Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife were executed.
1991
President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned following the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Birthdays
Anwar al-Sadat
1918–1981, Egyptian Political Leader and President.
Clara Barton
American Red Cross founder (1821)
Helena Rubinstein
cosmetics executive (1870)
Maurice Utrillo
painter (1883)
Conrad Hilton
business (1887)
Robert L. Ripley
cartoonist (1893)
Humphrey Bogart
actor (1899)
Cab Calloway
band leader (1907)
Jimmy Buffett
musician (1946)
Barbara Mandrell
country musician (1948)
Sissy Spacek
actress (1949)
Dido
singer (1971)