This Day In European History
25th December
Events336 The earliest documented Christmas Day celebration in Rome.
597: England begins using the Julian Calendar.
800: Charlemagne is crowned Emperor of the Romans in Rome by Pope Leo III. The Byzantine Empire doesn't accept Charlemagne as an heir to the Western Roman Empire.
1003: Pope John XVIII is crowned as Pope.
1024: King Boleslaw Chrobry of Poland is crowned. After years of conflict he lives less than six months as king.
1059: Byzantine Emperor Isaac Comnenus abdicates after less than two years in power.
1066 William I, the Conqueror, is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.
1076: King Boleslaw II of Poland is crowned with a crown specially sent from the Pope.
1085: William I of England orders a national survey of land and ownership: the Domesday Book.
1176: The first Welsh Eisteddfod; it is still held annually.
1541: England bans all sports at Christmas except archery.
1799: The 'Constitution of the Year VIII' creates a Consulate of three consuls to run France. Napoleon Bonaparte is First Consul.
1932: The first Christmas Broadcast by an English royal (George V); now annual event.
1945: British held Hong Kong surrenders to Japan as part of WW2.
Births
1642: Isaac Newton, British scientist.
1721: William Collins, English poet.
1886: Franz Rosenzweig, German theologian.
Deaths
820: Byzantine Emperor Leo V, murdered.
1635: Samuel de Champlain, French explorer.
1676: Matthew Hale, English jurist.
