Even in the midst of a bloody war, enemy soldiers can lay down their weapons, and find common ground (even if for a fleeting moment). In 1914, during the 1st World War, British and German troops, soldiers who had been slaughtering each other from frozen, dugout trenches, created an unofficial cease-fire, to celebrate Christmas together.
“How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was," said German Lieutenant Kurt Zehmisch. "The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time.”
The festivities began on Christmas Eve, with German and British overhearing enemy soldiers singing Christmas carols. At dawn of Christmas Day, German soldiers crossed into no-man's land, and greeted the initially-suspicious Brits, who were weary of an attack. Once it was clear that the Germans were unarmed, the British emerged from their trenches, and shared cigarettes, and festive songs. Some even joined in a game of soccer against each other.
The festivities were sadly short-lived, as both sides needed to get back to the business of killing each other.
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