#TodayInHistory – December 24

December 24 – Some important events on this day

563 👉🏼 The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by earthquakes.
1565 👉🏼 Compromise of the Nobles in Habsburg Netherlands closes against inquisition
1777 👉🏼 Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island, is discovered by James Cook

1814 👉🏼 Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the War of 1812 between the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies.
The Treaty of Ghent, signed in the city of Ghent, Belgium, ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. Relations were restored to “status quo ante bellum”, the situation which exited before the war, which mean there were no boundary changes.
Although signed into law on the British side on the 30th December, news of the treaty took a month to reach the US. Two major battles were fought during this period, the Battle of New Orleans won by America and the Second Battle of Fort Bowyer won by the British. The US ratified the treaty in February of 1815 under President James Madison.

1818 👉🏼 Christmas carol “Silent Night” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber is first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria.
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1901 👉🏼 Private companies allowed to use the word “postcard” in the US. Previously they were labelled “Private Mailing Cards” and known as “souvenir cards”.
1922 👉🏼 BBC broadcasts first British radio play “The Truth about Father Christmas”
1923 👉🏼 President Calvin Coolidge touches a button and lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House grounds.
1936 👉🏼 1st radioactive isotope medicine administered in Berkeley, California
1943 👉🏼 US President Roosvelt appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces
1970 👉🏼 Walt Disney’s “Aristocats” is released
1996 👉🏼 Ballon d’Or: Borussia Dortmund’s German sweeper Matthias Sammer is named best football player in Europe ahead of PSV/Barcelona striker Ronaldo and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer