During the Great War, the fighting briefly ceased on Christmas on some parts of the front line. The so-called "Christmas Truce" has become almost legendary. What really happened?

Read some of the newspaper articles from 1914 and 1915 reporting on the story at the Library of Congress's Chronicling America archive.

Music in this Episode

• "Drum Feature: Generations from the Simple Gifts Show" — The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, via Free Music Archive
• "Silent Night" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
• "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
• "Slowest Time" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress
• "The First Noel" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress
• "Silent Night" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress
• "Gentle Soft Piano | Christmas Vibes" — Alex Productions, via Free Music Archive

Connect with Me

• Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links
• Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com

Books

Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life.

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)