December 24: Historical Events, Famous Birthdays and Deaths On This Day

759
Tang dynasty poet Du Fu departs for Chengdu, where he is hosted by fellow poet Pei Di.
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1865
The Ku Klux Klan is formed.
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1914
World War I: The "Christmas truce" begins.
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1924
Albania becomes a republic.
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1929
Assassination attempt on Argentine President Hipólito Yrigoyen.
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1939
World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.
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1943
World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied Commander for the Invasion of Normandy.
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1951
Libya becomes independent from Italy. Idris I is proclaimed King of Libya.
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1964
Vietnam War: Viet Cong operatives bomb the Brinks Hotel in Saigon, South Vietnam to demonstrate they can strike an American installation in the heavily guarded capital.
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