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The Christmas Truce - World War I
War
World War I ceasefire
A little over a hundred years ago, as World War I was raging in Europe, a large number of German and British troops put aside their weapons for a temporary and unofficial ceasefire: the Christmas Truce.
Five months into the war, on Christmas Eve of 1914 in Belgium, German soldiers decorated their trenches, and even put candles on their Christmas trees. They started singing Christmas carols. Shortly after, the British soldiers responded and joined in the singing.
They all exchanged Christmas greetings, and, eventually, even ventured into no man's land to shake hands, and exchange gifts! Some of them played soccer matches while the fighting continued nearby. This time was also used to retrieve bodies of fallen soldiers and swap prisoners.
Fraternizing was strictly prohibited, so the historical significance of the truce was all the more symbolic, and provided a much-needed reminder of humanity in a time of incredibly violent strife.
Five months into the war, on Christmas Eve of 1914 in Belgium, German soldiers decorated their trenches, and even put candles on their Christmas trees. They started singing Christmas carols. Shortly after, the British soldiers responded and joined in the singing.
They all exchanged Christmas greetings, and, eventually, even ventured into no man's land to shake hands, and exchange gifts! Some of them played soccer matches while the fighting continued nearby. This time was also used to retrieve bodies of fallen soldiers and swap prisoners.
Fraternizing was strictly prohibited, so the historical significance of the truce was all the more symbolic, and provided a much-needed reminder of humanity in a time of incredibly violent strife.
Europe, Germany
December 24th, 1914
project: The Glass Files #onthisday via Instagram
artwork | painting | World War I | war | Christmas Eve | Christmas Truce | cease fire | truce | soldiers | on this day | Weihnachtsfrieden | Treve de Noel | history | Happy Holidays
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