Today is Thursday, December 25, the 360th day of 2008. There are six days left in the year.
0001 _ First Christmas, according to calendar-maker Dionysus Exiguus
0337 _ Earliest possible date that Christmas was celebrated on Dec. 25th
0352 _ First definite date Christmas was celebrated on Dec. 25th
1066 _ William the Conqueror, crowned king of England
1868 _ Despite bitter opposition, President Andrew Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion (the Civil War)
1926 _ Hirohito becomes emperor of Japan (1926-1989)
1971 _ Worst hotel fire in history kills 163 at Daeyeongak Hotel in Seoul
1977 _ Israeli P.M. Menachem Begin meets in Egypt with Egyptian President Sadat
1990 _ ``Godfather III" premieres
1991 _ Mikhail Gorbachev formally resigned as President of USSR