December 24
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Adela and Irmina, Paola Elisabetta Cerioli, AdamandEve, December 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collective commemoration of several saints observed on December 24 by Christian churches.
Christmas Eve(Christianity) and its related observances:
Aðfangadagskvöld, the day when the 13th and the lastYule Ladarrives to towns. (Iceland), Feast of the Seven Fishes(Italian Americans), Juleaften (Denmark)/Julaften (Norway)/Julafton (Sweden), Nittel Nacht(certain Orthodox Jewish denominations), Nochebuena(Spain and Spanish-speaking countries), TheDeclaration of Christmas Peace(Old Great SquareofTurku, Finland's official Christmas City), Wigilia(Poland), Quviasukvik, the Inuit new year (Alaska,Canada,GreenlandandRussia)
The global celebration of Christmas Eve, featuring diverse cultural and religious traditions on the night before Christmas Day.
Kūčios(Lithuania)
Kūčios is the traditional Lithuanian Christmas Eve dinner, rich in symbolism and folklore.
Independence Day (Libya)
A national holiday in Libya marking the country’s independence from Italian colonial rule on December 24, 1951.
Day of Military Honour – Siege of Ismail(Russia)
A Russian military commemoration of the 1790 Siege of Ismail, celebrated as a symbol of courage and tactical victory.
Adela and Irmina
Feast day honoring Adela and Irmina, sisters known for founding religious communities and acts of charity in the 8th century.
Paola Elisabetta Cerioli
Feast day of Paola Elisabetta Cerioli, an Italian nun and foundress devoted to youth education and social care.
AdamandEve
Feast day commemorating Adam and Eve, the biblical first humans, reflecting on themes of creation and redemption.
December 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A liturgical observance in the Eastern Orthodox Church marking specific services on the day before the Nativity.
Events
Chinese emperor Xiao Yan names Xiao Tong his heir designate.
In 502, Emperor Xiao Yan of the Liang dynasty names his son Xiao Tong as heir apparent, solidifying the imperial succession.
Pope John IV is elected, several months after his predecessor's death.
In 640, John IV is elected pope, restoring leadership to the Catholic Church after a period of vacancy.
Tang dynasty poet Du Fu departs for Chengdu, where he is hosted by fellow poet Pei Di.
In 759, renowned Tang dynasty poet Du Fu sets out for Chengdu, finding refuge and camaraderie with poet Pei Di.
Battle of Ayn Shams: The Fatimids under Jawhar defeat the Qarmatians at the gates of Cairo, putting an end to the First Qarmatian invasion of Egypt.
In 971, Fatimid general Jawhar decisively repels the Qarmatians at Ayn Shams, securing Cairo against invasion.
The capital of the crusader County of Edessa falls to Imad ad-Din Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo.
In 1144, Imad ad-Din Zengi captures Edessa, delivering a major blow to the Crusader states.
Pope Boniface VIII is elected, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned.
In 1294, Cardinal Benedetto Caetani is elected Pope Boniface VIII, succeeding the hermit-pope Celestine V.
A joint Venetian–Spanish fleet captures the Castle of St. George on the island of Cephalonia.
On December 24th, 1500, Venetian and Spanish forces seize the Castle of St. George on Cephalonia.
The Marathas defeat the combined forces of the Mughal Empire, Rajputs of Jaipur, Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab of Awadh and Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of Bhopal.
In 1737, Maratha forces under Peshwa Baji Rao I deliver a decisive victory at the Battle of Bhopal over a vast coalition.
Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island, is discovered by James Cook.
On Christmas Eve 1777, Captain James Cook discovers the atoll of Kiritimati, later named Christmas Island.
Births
Galba
Galba was a Roman general who became emperor in AD 68, inaugurating the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors.
John
King John ruled England from 1199 to 1216, best known for sealing the Magna Carta under pressure from rebellious barons.
John V
John V, known as "the Wise," was Duke of Brittany from 1399 until his death in 1442, steering his duchy through the Hundred Years’ War.
Bartolomeo degli Organi
Bartolomeo degli Organi was an Italian Renaissance composer and organist active in Florence, noted for both sacred and secular works.
Thomas Murner
Thomas Murner was a German satirical poet, translator, and early critic of the Protestant Reformation.
Pietro Carnesecchi
Pietro Carnesecchi was an Italian Renaissance humanist scholar noted for his classical translations and reformist ideas.
Martha Leijonhufvud
Martha Leijonhufvud was a Swedish noblewoman who wielded considerable influence in the 16th-century Swedish court.
Willem IV van den Bergh
Willem IV van den Bergh was a Dutch nobleman and military commander who served as Stadtholder of Guelders and Zutphen.
Kaspar Ulenberg
Kaspar Ulenberg was a German theologian and translator whose Catholic writings influenced the Counter-Reformation.
Deaths
Gongsun Shu
Gongsun Shu was a Chinese warlord who founded the short-lived Chengjia kingdom in the Sichuan region following the collapse of the Xin dynasty. He proclaimed himself emperor in 25 AD and ruled until his defeat by the Eastern Han in 36 AD.
Sisinnius I served as Archbishop (Patriarch) of Constantinople from 426 until his death in 427, overseeing the early Byzantine Church during Emperor Theodosius II’s reign.
Hedwiga
Shi Hongzhao
Shi Hongzhao was a military commander of the Later Han dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He played a key role in defending the regime’s territories until his death in 950.
Wang Zhang
Wang Zhang was a senior civil official and chief minister of the Later Han dynasty, overseeing financial and administrative matters until his execution in 950.
Yang Bin
Yang Bin was a prominent chancellor of the Later Han dynasty, known for his administrative reforms and central role in government until his death in 950.
Roger III of Sicily was the eldest son of King Tancred and Queen Sibylla of Acerra, serving as Duke of Apulia and heir to the Sicilian throne until his death in 1193.
John I
John I was Count of Hainaut from 1246 until his death in 1257, known for defending his territories and navigating regional disputes with Flanders.
Hōjō Tokiyori
Hōjō Tokiyori was the fifth shikken (regent) of the Kamakura shogunate, serving from 1246 to 1256 and pioneering legal and administrative reforms before his death in 1263.