By Dec. 25, 1914, World War I had been raging throughout Europe for five months. That all changed just after midnight on Christmas morning.
German troops joined military men from Russia, France, and Britain in a ceasefire to celebrate Christmas Day at some of the most contentious points along the Western and Eastern Fronts. American troops did not enter the war until 1917.
The ceasefire started after a few German soldiers ran toward their enemy’s trenches with their hands up, shouting “merry Christmas” in English, French, and Russian.
The Allied troops were not sure if they could trust the German soldiers, as it could have been an ambush. The German troops earned the trust of their combat enemies by showing up unarmed, with gifts of cigarettes and plum pudding to exchange. After talking it over, the two sides agreed to a daylong ceasefire.
Troops from both sides joined to sing carols, exchange treats, and even play each other in a game of soccer between the trenches.
A statue of two hands shaking that commemorates the Christmas truce now stands at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England. A separate statue of a German soldier and an English soldier shaking hands is displayed at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England, honoring the famed soccer game between the two sides.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 was the only holiday ceasefire that would take place during the First World War. The conflict ended on Nov. 11, 1918, which is now celebrated as Veterans Day in the United States.
