A series of widespread unofficial ceasefires took place during the First World War along the Western Front, around Christmas 1914.
Through the week leading to Christmas Day, many German and British soldiers began exchanging gifts and seasonal greetings between trenches. On Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, soldiers from both sides ventured into "no man's land". Troops mingled, exchanged food and partook in joint burial services. In some cases the atmosphere became so friendly that games of football with one another and Christmas carols broke out.
The following year in 1915, some Christmas truces took place but not on such a widespread level. But by 1916, due to increasing tensions bought on by bloody battles such the Somme, no Christmas truces were sought.
The Christmas truces are viewed as the greatest symbol of peace and humanity in modern history's most violent event. The 1914 truces are significant in the number of participants.
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