As the holidays draw closer, I feel an overlooked but very important wartime event should be honoured.

On Christmas Eve, 1914, during the first year of World War I, the entire Western Front was suddenly awoken not by the sounds of battle, but by the soft melodies of Christmas carols. Moments later, the British and German armies all arose from their trenches after declaring an unofficial ceasefire. Crossing the battlefield dubbed “No Man's Land”, the soldiers declared this brief end to hostilities by engaging in friendly conversations and exchanging gifts, some even partaking in friendly matches of football. This brief moment of peace only lasted for a few days before the soldiers were ordered back to war by their superiors. A true peace would not be declared until three years later on November 11th, 1918, thus bringing the First World War to a close.

Over a century later, the legacy of the Christmas Truce of 1914 must continue to show the world that if we can all learn to live together in peace, then maybe one day there will be no need for war anymore.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Charlie Barkin All Dogs go to Heaven © MGM/UA
Balto Balto © Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment

Inspired by the song “It Could Happen Again” by Collin Raye.