THURSDAY, Dec. 25, 2025

800-Pope Leo III crowns Charles the Great (Charlemagne), Roman Emperor 1066-William the Conqueror is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, completing the Norman conquest of England 1741-Astronomer Anders Celsius introduces Centigrade temperature scale 1868-Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all persons involved in Southern rebellion (Civil War) 1926-Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan assumes the throne upon his father, Emperor Yoshihito's, death 1965-U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders a halt to bombing operations in North Vietnam, hoping to spur peace talks 1989-Japanese scientist achieve -271.8°C, coldest temperature ever recorded 1991-Mikhail Gorbachev formally resigns as President of USSR in a televised speech