Discover what happened on December 24 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

December 24

Discover what happened on December 24 with HISTORY&#8217;s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

December 24 Archives - History.com

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1979

President Coolidge lights the first national Christmas tree.

1973

1865

1814

1851

1964

1972

1923

1997

1952

1801

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian - the U.S. president - would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

U.S. Presidents

Afghanistan

Christmas

Film

The Vietnam War pitted communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and the United States. The war ended when U.S. forces withdrew in 1973 and Vietnam unified under Communist control two years later.

Vietnam War

Communism

Immigration

District of Columbia

Videos

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History.com Editors

Art history tells the complex story of human civilization through art and design. It ranges from prehistoric art of the Neolithic period through Renaissance masterpieces, Impressionism, Modernism, the Bauhaus and contemporary art.

Art, Literature, and Film History

Inventions from the telephone to the Model T and the computer have defined human history, and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell have transformed our society.

Inventions & Science

Though the 19th century saw the rise of populism, the labor movement and Jacksonian democracy, it also ushered in the Gilded Age, when men like Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. P. Morgan wielded control over politics and business.

19th Century

Cold War

The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union lasted for decades and resulted in anti-communist suspicions and international incidents that led the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear disaster.

This Day In History: December 24

Soviet Union invades Afghanistan

Also on This Day in History December | 24

This Day in History Video: What Happened on December 24

Stephenie Meyer, best‑selling author of “Twilight” novels, is born

KKK founded

War of 1812 ends

Fire ravages Library of Congress

Viet Cong bomb Brinks Hotel

Bob Hope gives his last show in Vietnam

Fire destroys Thomas Jefferson library

President Coolidge lights first national Christmas tree

Woody Allen marries Soon‑Yi Previn

McCarran‑Walter Act goes into effect, revising immigration laws

Richard Trevithick introduces his “Puffing Devil”

Also on This Day in History December | 24

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