World War I, The Great War, or even “The war to end all wars”. This bloody conflict raged across Europe and parts of the Middle East for years. The Allies (America, England, France, Russia, Italy, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro,Japan, Portugal, and Brazil) against the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) along with many other belligerents.

British and French soldiers fighting the German army in France laid down their arms to join German soldiers who had climbed out of their trench to exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas. At first it was just an exchange of carols across No-Man’s Land. Then it amassed into a good natured game of soccer.

This unofficial truce lasted for just Christmas Eve and Day, and in other parts along the Western Front it went on into New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, this truce was not accepted in other areas along the front. Officers saw it as something that would decrease morale. Fraternizing with the enemy was frowned upon by the governments of Britain, France, and Germany. Pope Benedict XV plead with those governments that, “guns may fall silent, at least on the night angels sing.”

This request was ignored, and the truce never happened again.