On December 24, history records 43 notable events, 219 famous births and 113 deaths, spanning the years 502 to 1818.
Events on this day include: Chinese emperor Xiao Yan names Xiao Tong his heir designate. (502); Pope John IV is elected. (640).
Notable people born on December 24 include John, King of England (1166), John V, Duke of Brittany (1389), Bartolomeo degli Organi (1474).
Notable figures who died on this day include Archbishop Sisinnius I of Constantinople (427), Hedwiga (903), Shi Hongzhao (950).
Events on 24 December 43
See all →Tang dynasty poet Du Fu departs for Chengdu, where he is hosted by fellow poet Pei Di.
The capital of the crusader County of Edessa falls to Imad ad-Din Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo.
A joint Venetian-Spanish fleet captures the Castle of St. George on the island of Cephalonia.
Representatives of Britain and the United States sign the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.
The first performance of "Silent Night" takes place in the church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.