Christmas Truce of 1914

During World War I, on Christmas Eve in 1914, British and German

soldiers were fighting in the trenches of Belgium. But that night, something extraordinary

happened. As the cold set in, German troops began singing “Silent

Night.” The British soldiers recognized the tune — and started singing along from across the battlefield.

Soon, men from both sides climbed out of their trenches. They shook hands,

exchanged small gifts like chocolate and cigarettes, and even played a soccer match in

the no man’s land between them. For a few short hours, enemies became human

beings sharing peace in the middle of war. When morning came, they returned to