British and German soldiers fraternizing at Ploegsteert, Belgium, on Christmas Day 1914.

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British and German soldiers fraternizing at Ploegsteert, Belgium, on Christmas Day 1914. / Imperial War Museum

During December 1914, something remarkable happened. For a week before Christmas Day, French, British and German soldiers laid down their arms. They talked, sang carols, and wished each other Merry Christmas. This was known as the Christmas Truce, and did not happen again. We learned more about this piece of holiday history from Emory University professor Patrick Allitt.