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This day in history - December 24

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:45 pm
by seamusTX
1914 - During the first year of World War I, British, French, and German troops along the front lines spontaneously declared a truce. They shared food, drink, and smokes, played soccer, sang, and became acquainted as best they could with language barriers.

Two days later, they resumed fighting the most deadly war in history up to that time.

- Jim

Re: This day in history - December 24

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:49 pm
by Oldgringo
The name of the movie celebrating that event is "Joyeau Noel".

Re: This day in history - December 24

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:58 pm
by seamusTX
I did not know that.

Joyeux Noël à tous.

- Jim

Re: This day in history - December 24

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:06 pm
by LarryH
Garth Brooks recorded a song about the event. I believe it was called "Belleau Wood".

Re: This day in history - December 24

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:23 pm
by seamusTX
I did not know that, either.

Here's an apparently legit recording, very moving:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6071475613" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's an older folk song called "Christmas in the Trenches" on the same subject.

- Jim

Re: This day in history - December 24

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:00 pm
by LarryH
That's the one. I played it again just now, and choked up just the same way I always have.

"The Devil's clock struck midnight . . ." is the toughest part to listen to.