Today in History for 25th December 2025

[CoM Moderators]

Historical Events

274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian dedicates a temple to Sol Invictus in Rome, on supposed day of the winter solstice, fulfilling vow made during campaign in Palmyra
1818 - First known Christmas carol, "Silent Night, Holy Night" (Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht'), is sung in Austria
1921 - Last major Potlatch (ceremony) by Chief Daniel Cranmer (Kwakwaka’wakw) from Alert Bay, British Columbia. Twenty-six people arrested, their masks and regalia sold by Canadian government.
2012 - 27 people are killed after an Antonov An-72 plane crashes near Shymkent, Kazakhstan
2016 - Russian military defence plane crashes into the Black Sea after takeoff from Sochi airport, killing all 92 on board

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Famous Birthdays

1932 - Mabel King (née Washington) American stage and screen actress and singer (What's Happening!!; The Wiz), born in Charleston, South Carolina (d. 1999)
1938 - Duane Armstrong, American painter (Fields of Grass), born in Fresno, California
1957 - Chris Kamara, English soccer midfielder (Swindon Town FC, Brentford FC) and commentator (Sky Sports), born in Middlesbrough, England
1975 - Marcus Trescothick, English cricket batsman (76 Tests, 14 x 100s, HS 219; 123 ODIs; Somerset CCC), born in Keynsham, England
1978 - Jeremy Strong, American actor (Succession), born in Boston, Massachusetts

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Famous Deaths

1976 - Frankie Darro [Frank Johnson], American actor (Radio Ranch, Wild Boys of the Road, Valley of Wanted Men), dies of a heart attack at 58
1989 - Billy Martin, American baseball second baseman (MLB All Star 1956; World Series 1951, 52, 53, 56; NY Yankees) and manager (World Series 1977 NY Yankees), killed in a car accident at 61
2006 - James Brown, American RandB, gospel, soul and funk singer-songwriter known as 'The Godfather of Soul' ("Sex Machine"; "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag"; "Hot Pants"), dies of heart failure at 73
2021 - John Gleeson, Australian rugby league five eighth (10 Tests; Queensland 25 games; Wynnum-Manly, Brothers RLFC), dies at 82
2021 - Janice Long (née Chegwin), British radio host (Crash FM; BBC), dies of pneumonia at 66

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