12 History Lessons + 7 Births & 7 Deaths for December 24, 2025
Today’s History
- 1524 – Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama dies in Cochin, India, closing the life of the navigator who opened a sea route from Europe to Asia.
- 1814 – The Treaty of Ghent is signed, formally ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain.
- 1826 – The Eggnog Riot erupts at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after cadets smuggle alcohol into Christmas festivities, becoming one of the academy’s most infamous incidents.
- 1865 – Several Confederate veterans gather in Pulaski, Tennessee, to form the Ku Klux Klan, beginning an organization that will become synonymous with racial terror in the U.S.
- 1914 – World War I: An informal Christmas Eve truce begins along parts of the Western Front as soldiers exchange greetings and songs.
- 1941 – World War II: U.S. and Filipino forces withdraw to the Bataan Peninsula as Japanese advances continue in the Philippines.
- 1951 – Libya gains independence, becoming the first country to achieve independence through the United Nations.
- 1968 – Apollo 8 enters lunar orbit, the first crewed spacecraft to circle the Moon, delivering the famous “Earthrise” moment.
- 1979 – Soviet troops cross into Afghanistan, initiating a decade-long war with global Cold War consequences.
- 1989 – Romania’s Nicolae Ceaușescu flees Bucharest amid mass protests, effectively ending his communist regime.
- 1997 – Irish singer Enya releases Paint the Sky with Stars, cementing her status as a global new-age and pop crossover artist.
- 2018 – NASA’s Parker Solar Probe makes its closest-ever approach to the Sun, redefining humanity’s ability to study solar physics.
Today’s Birthdays:
- 1940 – Anthony Fauci – American physician-scientist and longtime infectious-disease leader, a central public figure during major U.S. public health crises. (85)
- 1959 – Lee Daniels – American filmmaker and producer known for projects including Precious and Empire. (66)
- 1971 – Ricky Martin – Puerto Rican singer and global pop star who helped drive Latin pop into worldwide mainstream success. (54)
- 1973 – Stephenie Meyer – American novelist best known for the Twilight series, one of the defining YA franchises of the 2000s. (52)
- 1974 – Ryan Seacrest – American television and radio host best known for American Idol and major broadcast countdown events. (51)
- 1991 – Louis Tomlinson – English singer-songwriter, former One Direction member, and solo recording artist. (34)
- 1992 – Davante Adams – American NFL wide receiver and perennial Pro Bowl–caliber playmaker. (33)
Today’s Deaths:
- 1524 – Vasco da Gama – Portuguese explorer whose voyages reshaped global trade routes between Europe and Asia. (54)
- 1865 – James Buchanan – 15th President of the United States, whose term immediately preceded the Civil War. (74)
- 1964 – Johnny Ace – American R&B singer whose early death shocked the music world at the height of his popularity. (25)
- 1974 – Peter Lawford – British-American actor and member of the Rat Pack. (61)
- 1988 – John Holmes – American adult film actor and pop-culture figure of the 1970s. (43)
- 2016 – Rick Parfitt – English rock guitarist and founding member of Status Quo. (68)
- 2019 – Allee Willis – American songwriter and artist, co-writer of hits including “September” and the Friends theme song. (72)
Our revenue comes from a combination of direct subscriptions from users and commissions earned by affiliate commissions from sponsors’ links and banners. Some of the links you click may be affiliate links that generate that revenue.