During the early days of the American Revolutionary War, George Washington led a surprise attack on Hessian (German) troops by crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day. His forces won especially since the Hessian soldiers had dropped their guard celebrating the holiday.
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Fun Fact: The Pagan Winter Festival In Eastern Europe Before Christmas
In what is now most of Eastern Europe, there was an ancient winter festival called Koliada. It celebrated the birth of the new year. When Christianity spread to the region, Koliada merged with Christmas.
Fun Fact: Tiny Tim’s Original Name
Tiny Tim is a notable character in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. One of the prototype names for the character was Little Fred.
Fun Fact: Origin of Gingerbread
While it’s debated what counts as true gingerbread, the earliest forms came from outside of Europe. Gingerbread’s origin in Europe is said to be the work of an Armenian monk named Gregory of Nicopolis who taught French Christians how to bake the gingerbread in the year 992.
Fun Fact: Merry Christmas vs Happy Christmas
While the phrase “Merry Christmas” dates back to at least the 1500s, it was very common to hear “Happy Christmas” until the 20th century where “Merry Christmas” became far more common.
Neko Random 