It’s Thursday, December 25, 2025, marking the 359th day of the year with just six days remaining. Today is celebrated globally as Christmas Day.
Today in history:
On this day in 2009, passengers on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 played a crucial role in preventing a disaster. As the plane approached Detroit, they subdued Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear. Abdulmutallab later admitted guilt and received a life sentence for his actions.
Also on this date:
Back in 1066, William the Conqueror was officially crowned as the King of England, a pivotal moment in history.
The beloved carol “Silent Night” made its first public debut in 1818 during the Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Nikolaus Church in Oberndorf, Austria, enchanting listeners with its serene melody.
On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson issued unconditional pardons to all individuals who had supported the Confederacy during the Civil War, a significant move in the post-war reconciliation process.
In a bold maneuver during the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington crossed the Delaware River with his troops on this day in 1776, launching a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey.
In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito.
In 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu (chow-SHES’-koo) and his wife Elena were executed following a populist uprising.
In 2021, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s largest and most powerful space telescope, was rocketed aloft from French Guiana in South America on a quest to see light from the first stars and galaxies and search the universe for signs of life.
Today’s Birthdays:
- Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka is 79.
- Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 77.
- Actor Sissy Spacek is 76.
- Former White House adviser Karl Rove is 75.
- Actor CCH Pounder is 73.
- Singer Annie Lennox is 71.
- Country singer Steve Wariner is 71.
- Model and businesswoman Helena Christensen is 57.
- Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is 54.
- Actor Jeremy Strong is 47.
