Stille Nacht, Silent Night and the Christmas Truce of 1914 Inspired by a German Patriot post yesterday on QRV including the world famous Christmas Carol "Silent Night", I would like to tell you all of its merits during the Christmas Truce of 1914 during WW1, as was told to me by my a relative, when I was somewhat younger. "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" was originally composed in 1818 in Salzburg, Austria (wow, that is exactly 200 years ago). Over the years the carol became well known throughout Europe and translated into their respective languages like "Silent Night" in English or "Glade jul, dejlige jul" in my own language. During WW1 on Christmas Eve of 1914, German and British troops were entrenched somewhere in Belgium. It was a clear frosty night and the Germans began singing "Stille Nacht". When that carol ended, the British continued with "Silent Night". Soon a few brave soldiers came up from the trenches and met in the No Man's Land. They exchanged small gifts (souvenirs) and agreed on an unofficial truce that night and even started playing some football (or soccer for Americans). When the war continued, the troops from both sides apparently had to be relocated, because they could no longer fire at each other. This story has always stuck with me. Merry Christmas and may the world soon be at peace again.