December 25th, 1776. A surprise attack during the Revolutionary War?breeds?new life into the American cause. General George Washington and his Continental Army troops cross the Delaware River and strike Hessian Forces at Trenton, New Jersey.

1991. The Soviet Union’s president Mikhail Gorbachev announces his resignation as the eighth and final leader of a communist superpower that had already?ceased?to exist.

1989. A violent end for the last hardline communist ruler in Eastern Europe. Romania’s?ousted?leader Nicolae Ceau?escu and his wife Elena are executed by a firing squad after a popular uprising.

1818. The popular Christmas Carol “Silent Night” is performed for the first time at the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria.

1977. Charle Chaplin, comedian and one of the first big movie stars, dies in Switzerland at age 88.

2006. James Brown, the undeniable "Godfather of Soul", dies of heart failure. The pompadour dynamo, whose classic singles include "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", was 73 years old.

And 1995. "When the moon hits your eyes, like a big pizza pie, that’s amore…"?Dean Martin, singer, actor and TV host dies in Beverly Hills, California. He was 78 years old.

Today in history, December 25th. Sandy kozel, the Associated Press.