December 24 in History

• 1814

  December 24, 1814:

  The Treaty of Ghent is signed by Great Britain and the United States to bring the War of 1812 to an end.

• 1865

  December 24, 1865:

  The American white supremacist terrorist group, Ku Klux Klan is formed.

• 1871

  December 24, 1871:

  “Aida”, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, is performed for the first time in Cairo’s Khedivial Opera House.

• 1889

  December 24, 1889:

  Daniel C. Stover & William Hance are granted a patent for their bicycle which they improved by adding back pedal brakes.

• 1922

  December 24, 1922:

  BBC Radio airs its first-ever drama, “The Truth about Father Christmas”.

• 1970

  December 24, 1970:

  The animated romantic musical comedy film, “Aristocats” is released in theatres across the United States.

• 1972

  December 24, 1972:

  Comedian Bob Hope performs in Vietnam as part of his final Christmas tour for deployed soldiers.

• 1979

  December 24, 1979:

  Afghanistan is invaded by the Soviet Union.

• 1997

  December 24, 1997:

  Renowned film director Woody Allen aged 62 marries Soon-Yi Previn, the 27-year old adopted daughter of actress Mia Farrow who had previously been Allen’s girlfriend for 10 years.