December 24: Fun Facts about Today in History

(December 24, 1777)
James Cook discovers Kiritimati, often known as Christmas Island. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 24, 1814)
The Treaty of Ghent, signed in Belgium on this day in 1814, ended the War of 1812, signalled a reduction in American reliance on Europe, and sparked a sense of American nationalism in the United States. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 24, 1818)
The premiere of "Silent Night" takes place in Oberndorf, Austria, at the church of St. Nikolaus. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 24, 1973)
Stephenie Meyer, an American author best known for the Twilight Saga series of juvenile vampire books, was born. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 24, 1997)
Mifune Toshiro, a Japanese actor most known for his energetic, colourful representations of samurai characters in films directed by Akira Kurosawa, died near Tokyo. photo source: wikimedia.org

(Died on December 24, 2017)
Heather Menzies, Canadian-American model and actress (b. 1949).