A look at significant events that have happened on Christmas Day throughout history, from ancient Roman calendars to the birth of Isaac Newton and the invention of the pendulum clock.
While most of us associate December 25 with joy and togetherness, history paints a different picture. This compilation by Caxton Local Media explores the significant events that have occurred on Christmas Day throughout the ages. 336: The first official mention of December 25 as the commemoration of Jesus’ birth appears in an early Roman calendar from AD 336. However, early Christians did not celebrate Jesus’ birth, and no one knows when Jesus was actually born.
1066: William was crowned on Christmas Day 1066 in Westminster Abbey. Known as William the Conqueror, his coronation took place after he had invaded England from France. According to history.com, William spoke no English when he ascended the throne, and he failed to master it despite his efforts. 1642: It was a significant day when Christmas baby Isaac Newton was born. The celebrated master of astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, physics and theology’s father was an uneducated farmer who died shortly before Newton’s birth. His stepfather sent him to live with his grandmother. Throughout his life, Newton battled mental illness. Despite this, he became a leader in the scientific revolution. 1656: Dutch astronomer and mathematician Christiaan Huygens designed the first pendulum clock. 1741: Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius introduced the centigrade temperature scale. 1809: The first successful abdominal surgery was performed by American physician Ephraim McDowell when he removed an ovarian tumour. He is known as the father of ovariotomy and abdominal surgery. The procedure was performed without any anaesthesia, which was only introduced in 1846. 1819: Struggle icon Nxele Makana drowned while escaping from Robben Island. Makana and about 30 other prisoners made their escape attempt in three boats, which capsized. He had been imprisoned for leading an attack on Grahamstown in 1818. 1881: The modern-day Santa made Christmas extra joll
HISTORY CHRISTMAS EVENTS SIGNIFICANT INNOVATIONS
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