Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the rich tapestry of history and genealogy.
In this edition, we'll delve into the treasure trove of historical news articles dated December 25, unearthing stories that resonate with genealogists and history enthusiasts alike.
From local happenings to global events, we'll uncover the stories that shaped the lives of our ancestors, providing valuable insights for those on a quest to discover their roots.
So, grab your magnifying glass and step into the past as we unravel the December 25 historical headlines that may hold the missing pieces of your family's history puzzle.
Portland, Maine, USA (Deering)
This really was published in the New York Times in December of 1893! How times have changed...
Toast to the Grand Master
Knights Templars to Drink it at High Noon To-Day
One Hundred Thousand Men Send Christmas Greeting to Their Chief - The Grand Master Makes a Reply in Which He Dwells Upon the Significance of the Birth of Christ - He Offers a Toast to the "Valiant Sir Knights."
PORTLAND, Me., Dec. 24. - The following toast was prepared for Christmas by the Grand Encampment Knights... Read MORE...
New York Times - New York, New York - December 25, 1893
Comments
1893 - Knights Templar Christmas Toast
This really was published in the New York Times in December of 1893! How times have changed...
Toast to the Grand Master
Knights Templars to Drink it at High Noon To-Day
One Hundred Thousand Men Send Christmas Greeting to Their Chief - The Grand Master Makes a Reply in Which He Dwells Upon the Significance of the Birth of Christ - He Offers a Toast to the "Valiant Sir Knights."
PORTLAND, Me., Dec. 24. - The following toast was prepared for Christmas by the Grand Encampment Knights... Read MORE...
New York Times - New York, New York - December 25, 1893
Comments
F. Dickman, Butcher and Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Liquors, Cigars, Tobacco...
Cor. Smith and D Streets
Virginia City, Nevada
1873 ad
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad Directory, 1873-74: Embracing a General Directory of Residents of Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Dayton, Carson, Franktown, Washoe City and Reno, Together with a Business Directory, Also an Appendix, Giving Statistics of State and Storey, Lyno, Ormsby and Washoe Counties
Front Cover
H.S. Crocker & Company, 1873
Visit Virginia City, Nevada, USA!
Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)
Who is Santa Claus? To the little ones this would seem a very foolish question indeed, - as if everybody did not know who Santa Claus is! And, most certainly, you had better not put it to that experienced and downright young philosopher of eleven last June, who has, somehow or other, left the pure faith of childhood, and now laughs like an infidel - a mere VOLTAIRE - a perfect Mephistopheles - when the thing is mentioned, and cries out, "Ah! I know who Santa Claus is! There he is!" - pointing... Read MORE...
New York Times - New York, New York - December 25, 1867
Comments
1867 - Who Is Santa Claus?
Who is Santa Claus? To the little ones this would seem a very foolish question indeed, - as if everybody did not know who Santa Claus is! And, most certainly, you had better not put it to that experienced and downright young philosopher of eleven last June, who has, somehow or other, left the pure faith of childhood, and now laughs like an infidel - a mere VOLTAIRE - a perfect Mephistopheles - when the thing is mentioned, and cries out, "Ah! I know who Santa Claus is! There he is!" - pointing... Read MORE...
New York Times - New York, New York - December 25, 1867
Comments
Shawinigan, Québec, Canada (St-Boniface-de-Shawinigan)
Have you ever stopped to wonder why, at Christmas time, people put gaily decorated pine trees in their homes, bedeck their rooms and windows with mistletoe and holly, send greeting cards to friends, and finish off their feasting with good mince pie?
These and other Christmas customs that seem so natural and ageless to us, all had a beginning somewhere, and the origin of most of them are very interesting.
The practice of putting up evergreen trees, for example, was originally an ancient... Read MORE...
La Revue de Shawinigan Falls - Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Canada - December 25, 1930
Comments
1930 - Where our Christmas Customs came from
Have you ever stopped to wonder why, at Christmas time, people put gaily decorated pine trees in their homes, bedeck their rooms and windows with mistletoe and holly, send greeting cards to friends, and finish off their feasting with good mince pie?
These and other Christmas customs that seem so natural and ageless to us, all had a beginning somewhere, and the origin of most of them are very interesting.
The practice of putting up evergreen trees, for example, was originally an ancient... Read MORE...
La Revue de Shawinigan Falls - Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Canada - December 25, 1930
Comments
1800s Cooking Tips and Recipes
Gingerbread - One cup of molasses, one teaspoon of soda, beaten milk and molasses till white; butter, size of an egg, teaspoon ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt; one-half cup sour milk in it one teaspoon saleratus or soda.
Hatch Bros., Dealers in Game, Eggs, Butter, Cheese, Family Groceries and California Produce
20 C Street
Between Union and Taylor
Virginia, Nevada
1873 ad
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad Directory, 1873-74: Embracing a General Directory of Residents of Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Dayton, Carson, Franktown, Washoe City and Reno, Together with a Business Directory, Also an Appendix, Giving Statistics of State and Storey, Lyno, Ormsby and Washoe Counties
Front Cover
H.S. Crocker & Company, 1873
Visit Virginia City, Nevada, USA!
1913 - Christmas in Germany
Cakes weighing from one to twelve pounds are made in Friedrichstadt. They place them in exalted position and play to them, representing, as they say they do, St. Nicholas. Of rye bread they make a boar or hog, six or seven inches high, with gilt snout and tail, with gold rings around its knees. The business men put good they have exhibited for sale on a revolving disk and raffle them off.
Klingeest (King of Jesus or Child Jesus) presides over all Christmas celebrations in Schlewsig-Holstein. ... Read MORE...
The Stanstead Journal - Rock Island, Quebec, Canada - December 25, 1913
Comments
1800s Advice and Etiquette for Ladies
1872 - Dinner Party Rules for Women - Coffee follows the dessert, and when this enters, if your guests are gentlemen only, your duty is at an end. You may then rise, leave the room, and need not re-appear. If you have lady guests, you give the signal for rising after coffee, and lead the way to the
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
A Score or More of the Miners Entombed by an Explosion of Gas near Wilkes-Barre, but Fourteen Are Found to be Alive
Wilkes-Barre, PA., Dec 22-Fully a score of miners have perished by an explosion of gas in Baltimore No. 2 Shaft of the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company. Fifty or 60 others barely escaped with their lives.
The mine, when in full operation, employs in the neighborhood of 350 men and boys. About one third of this force was at work, and the number of workers was further reduced... Read MORE...
Hornellsville Weekly Tribune - Hornellsville, New York - December 25, 1896
Comments
1896 - GRIEF TURNED TO JOY. Mine Disaster Not So Serious as First Supposed MANY OF THE VICTIMS RESCUED
A Score or More of the Miners Entombed by an Explosion of Gas near Wilkes-Barre, but Fourteen Are Found to be Alive
Wilkes-Barre, PA., Dec 22-Fully a score of miners have perished by an explosion of gas in Baltimore No. 2 Shaft of the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company. Fifty or 60 others barely escaped with their lives.
The mine, when in full operation, employs in the neighborhood of 350 men and boys. About one third of this force was at work, and the number of workers was further reduced... Read MORE...
Hornellsville Weekly Tribune - Hornellsville, New York - December 25, 1896
Comments
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
On Friday afternoon week, the locomotive Wisconsin life Richmond for Pottsville, with a train of empty coal cars. When the train was approaching the Manayunk tunnel the boiler of the locomotive exploded, blowing out the end over the firebox, and rendering the engine a complete wreck. GEORGE LONG, formerly an engineer on the road, but recently living in Baltimore, where he leaves a family, was on the engine at the time of the explosion. He sprang to the ground, but was so badly scalded that he... Read MORE...
The Republican Compiler - Pennsylvania - December 25, 1854
Comments
1854 - DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE READING RAILROAD.
On Friday afternoon week, the locomotive Wisconsin life Richmond for Pottsville, with a train of empty coal cars. When the train was approaching the Manayunk tunnel the boiler of the locomotive exploded, blowing out the end over the firebox, and rendering the engine a complete wreck. GEORGE LONG, formerly an engineer on the road, but recently living in Baltimore, where he leaves a family, was on the engine at the time of the explosion. He sprang to the ground, but was so badly scalded that he... Read MORE...
The Republican Compiler - Pennsylvania - December 25, 1854
Comments
1910 - Germany Enjoys a "Fat" Christmas
Year of Immense Prosperity Ending, and People are Spending Lavishly.
BUT WEATHER IS ABNORMAL
April-Like Drizzle in Berlin and Hardly a Flake of Snow in All the Empire - Bad for Hotels.
Special Cable to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
BERLIN, Dec. 24. - Germany is celebrating a "fat" Christmas. The Fatherland has rounded out another year of very great prosperity, and the Yuletide is characterized by corresponding generosity and good cheer.
The Christmas shopping has taken place on an... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - December 25, 1910
Comments
1849 - The safety pin is invented (Walter Hunt, United States)
THE SAFETY PIN.
Interesting Story of Its Inventor, Walter Hunt.
Buffalo Commercial.
John R. Chapin, now of Buffalo, gives some interesting reminiscences of Walter Hunt, who, in the opinion of may, including Mr. Chapin, was the real inventor of the sewing machine. "Let me close," he says "with an anecdote of his talent in the line of invention. He came inot my office on Nassau street one day looking quite down-hearted, and to my inquiry, 'What's the matter, Mr. Hunt?' he replied, 'I owe you ... Read MORE...
The Saint Paul Globe - Saint Paul, Minnesota - December 25, 1895
Comments
1885 The Killingly authorities have decided to prosecute every tramp that applies for lodgings at the station house.
The Southbridge Journal
Southbridge, Massachusetts
Visit Killingly, Connecticut, USA (Danielson) (Dayville) (East Killingly) (Attawaugan) (Ballouville)!
1913 Christmas in Armenia
The young Armenians on Christmas day, pay "hand-kissing" visits to their elders.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , Armenia!
1913 Christmas in Mexico
Christmas celebrations in Mexico begin December 17 and continues until December 24. Each night a festival is held, nine in all, an invitation being sent out to these "posadas". "Posada" means "inn," typifying the day the holy travelers, Joseph and Mary, sought in vain for rest and shelter.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , Mexico!
The Southbridge Journal
Southbridge, Massachusetts
Visit Killingly, Connecticut, USA (Danielson) (Dayville) (East Killingly) (Attawaugan) (Ballouville)!
1913 Christmas in Armenia
The young Armenians on Christmas day, pay "hand-kissing" visits to their elders.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , Armenia!
1913 Christmas in Mexico
Christmas celebrations in Mexico begin December 17 and continues until December 24. Each night a festival is held, nine in all, an invitation being sent out to these "posadas". "Posada" means "inn," typifying the day the holy travelers, Joseph and Mary, sought in vain for rest and shelter.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , Mexico!
1912 1913 - Christmas in France
When Christmas draws near every French family in easy circumstances sends for a cask of wine and lays in a stock of southern fruit. Those who have been enemies pardon each other; marriages are fixed; married pairs who have been separated are reunited.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , France!
1913 Kalikantzarol
In Greece the kalikantzarol are generally represented as mere tricky sprites who live, as a rule, underground, appearing to men only on the nights of the year between December 25 and January 6. They pass the days during this period in dark caverns, where they subsist on serpents and lizards, and come forth to dance in the moonlight, either alone or in company with the nereids, and also with mortal women, if they can lure any to join them.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , Greece!
1890 December 25 - Infectious Disease
The Berlin police have given notice to all unlicensed sanatoriums, hotels, etc., in the city that consumptives and other patients suffering from infectious diseases who may be stopping at such places must leave within eight days, or the places will be closed.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Berlin, Germany!
When Christmas draws near every French family in easy circumstances sends for a cask of wine and lays in a stock of southern fruit. Those who have been enemies pardon each other; marriages are fixed; married pairs who have been separated are reunited.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , France!
1913 Kalikantzarol
In Greece the kalikantzarol are generally represented as mere tricky sprites who live, as a rule, underground, appearing to men only on the nights of the year between December 25 and January 6. They pass the days during this period in dark caverns, where they subsist on serpents and lizards, and come forth to dance in the moonlight, either alone or in company with the nereids, and also with mortal women, if they can lure any to join them.
The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
Visit , Greece!
1890 December 25 - Infectious Disease
The Berlin police have given notice to all unlicensed sanatoriums, hotels, etc., in the city that consumptives and other patients suffering from infectious diseases who may be stopping at such places must leave within eight days, or the places will be closed.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Berlin, Germany!
1890 December 25 - Railway Strike
There are no signs of improvement in connection with the railway strike in Scotland. There are almost 7,000 men on strike, and business is almost entirely at a standstill. All the depots are being guarded by strong detachments of police.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit , Scotland (United Kingdom)!
1890 December 25 - Joseph Donoghue, of Newburgh, N.Y., won the International amateur skating race, one mile and a half, yesterday in England. He made the distance in 4 minutes 46 seconds, beating the record.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Newburgh, New York, USA!
1890 December 25 - The German Government has concluded the arrangements as to the manner in which the future preparation and distribution of Prof. Koch's lymph is to be carried on.
Adams and North Adams, Massachusetts Directories, 1887, 1889-90, 1890-93
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit , Germany (German States) (German Empire)!
There are no signs of improvement in connection with the railway strike in Scotland. There are almost 7,000 men on strike, and business is almost entirely at a standstill. All the depots are being guarded by strong detachments of police.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit , Scotland (United Kingdom)!
1890 December 25 - Joseph Donoghue, of Newburgh, N.Y., won the International amateur skating race, one mile and a half, yesterday in England. He made the distance in 4 minutes 46 seconds, beating the record.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Newburgh, New York, USA!
1890 December 25 - The German Government has concluded the arrangements as to the manner in which the future preparation and distribution of Prof. Koch's lymph is to be carried on.
Adams and North Adams, Massachusetts Directories, 1887, 1889-90, 1890-93
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit , Germany (German States) (German Empire)!
1890 December 25 - There are now seven patients suffering from various tuberculous afflictions being treated with the Koch lymph in the Montreal General hospital.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Montréal, Québec, Canada (Sault-au-Récollet) (Côte-St-Michel) (Côte-St-Paul)!
1890 December 25 - The coal mining companies of Belgium have decided on a general reduction of wages, and the miners threaten to strike.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit , Belgium!
1890 December 25 - The Chicago City Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously voted down the proposition that extracts from the Bible be read daily in Public schools.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Chicago, Illinois, USA!
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Montréal, Québec, Canada (Sault-au-Récollet) (Côte-St-Michel) (Côte-St-Paul)!
1890 December 25 - The coal mining companies of Belgium have decided on a general reduction of wages, and the miners threaten to strike.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit , Belgium!
1890 December 25 - The Chicago City Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously voted down the proposition that extracts from the Bible be read daily in Public schools.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit Chicago, Illinois, USA!
1717 December 25 - Floods ravage Dutch coast provinces, thousands killed
onthisday.com
Visit , Netherlands (Holland) (Dutch East Indies)!
1896 December 25 - John Philip Sousa composes his magnum opus, the Stars and Stripes Forever.
wikipedia.org
Visit , United States (USA) (American Colonies)!
1869 Lead
Lead of the best quality has been found near York, Pa.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
Visit York, Pennsylvania, USA (Yorktown)!
onthisday.com
Visit , Netherlands (Holland) (Dutch East Indies)!
1896 December 25 - John Philip Sousa composes his magnum opus, the Stars and Stripes Forever.
wikipedia.org
Visit , United States (USA) (American Colonies)!
1869 Lead
Lead of the best quality has been found near York, Pa.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
Visit York, Pennsylvania, USA (Yorktown)!
1917 Auto Damaged in Collision
An automobile driven by George Calvin, of this city, collided with a horse and buggy driven by James Ecton, colored, at the corner of Main and Washington streets Sunday. The machine was considerably damaged by the impact. The windshield was broken and glass was scattered over Mr. Calvin, who suffered several slight cuts on the face. The other The other occupants of the car, his wife and three children, were injured. The shafts of the buggy were broken and the vehicle otherwise damaged. The...
Read MORE...
The Lexington Herald
Lexington, Kentucky
Visit Lexington, Kentucky, USA!
1874 3 Votes Not Enough
An enterprising voter of Cleveland, Ohio, voted three times for a sheriff of Cuyahoga county in the late election. Of course, a candidate so ably voted fro was elected, and the voter, having been convicted of voting, was sent to the penitentiary for three years. One good turn deserves another, and the sheriff for whom the voter voted saw him safely to the prison.
genealogybank.com
New Orleans Times
New Orleans, Louisiana
Visit Cleveland, Ohio, USA!
An automobile driven by George Calvin, of this city, collided with a horse and buggy driven by James Ecton, colored, at the corner of Main and Washington streets Sunday. The machine was considerably damaged by the impact. The windshield was broken and glass was scattered over Mr. Calvin, who suffered several slight cuts on the face. The other The other occupants of the car, his wife and three children, were injured. The shafts of the buggy were broken and the vehicle otherwise damaged. The...
Read MORE...
The Lexington Herald
Lexington, Kentucky
Visit Lexington, Kentucky, USA!
1874 3 Votes Not Enough
An enterprising voter of Cleveland, Ohio, voted three times for a sheriff of Cuyahoga county in the late election. Of course, a candidate so ably voted fro was elected, and the voter, having been convicted of voting, was sent to the penitentiary for three years. One good turn deserves another, and the sheriff for whom the voter voted saw him safely to the prison.
genealogybank.com
New Orleans Times
New Orleans, Louisiana
Visit Cleveland, Ohio, USA!
America - Did you know?
Observation of foreign travelers to America:Pharmacies Sell More Than Just Medicine
For most European countries a pharmacy is a place where they sell medicine and other medical supplies. When they come and visit they notice that their...Read MORE...
thetravel.com
Quebec - Did you know?
Quebec was almost an independent country. In 1995, a referendum was held to separate Quebec from Canada. The referendum was not officially legally valid and was only held in Quebec. The no camp won the referendum by 0.4%, which is still seen as a...Read MORE...weleaf.nl
Picture of the Day
Visit Raymond, Maine, USA!
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.
Village Square
International Hotel, (Open day and night), Corner C, Union & B Streets, Virginia, Nevada
The Best Hotel in Nevada
1873 ad
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad Directory, 1873-74: Embracing a General Directory of Residents of Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Dayton, Carson, Franktown, Washoe City and Reno, Together with a Business Directory, Also an Appendix, Giving Statistics of State and Storey, Lyno, Ormsby and Washoe Counties
Front Cover
H.S. Crocker & Company, 1873
Visit Virginia City, Nevada, USA!
