Histortweet Week in Review - W/E December 26, 2009

[SFX: CHURCHBELL] Greetings, History Lovers! Welcome to This Tweet in History, the Week In Review, podcasting to you on tape delay from our North American Studios.

Here are your top stories for the weeks ending December 26, 2009:

[SFX: SOUND827]World: DATELINE Ypres, December 25, 1914 - Brit, German soldiers defy orders, lay down arms for Christmas: http://bit.ly/41kDNo
The Back-Story: [SFX:Silent Night; Down by the Riverside; I Don't Really Want to Fight] The First World War was marked by trench warfare: The combatants dug themselves in for protection from the other side’s machine guns and artillery, awaiting a coming offensive that would break the deadlock. The trenches were unsanitary, cold, and uncomfortable, and subject to flooding and collapse. Staring across a no-man’s land at one’s adversary, in similar straits, it was hard not to feel a sort of kinship. As Christmas approach, each side began supplying its soldiers with gifts: boxes of chocolates, tobbacco, and greeting cards. There prevailed a festive spirit, and a desire for a lull in the fighting. Across the trenches, the British heard their German counterparts singing German carols, and responded in English. Envoys stepped into no-man’s land carrying gifts, and offering to celebrate together. For that one night – and, in some places, for as long as a week, till new year’s day, there was peace on earth, and goodwill toward men.[SFX: War]

[SFX: SOUND827]Sports: DATELINE Las Vegas, December 25, 2002 - Hnida's kick smashes through NCAA's gender barrier: http://bit.ly/6XtsWh

The Back-Story: [SFX: Anything You Can Do; Route 66; I am Woman]Katie Hnida was a walk-on to the University of Colorado’s football team her freshman year, where she became the second woman to suit up for an NCAA Division 1-A game, and the first to suit up for a bowl game. In 2002, she transferred to the University of New Mexico and, again, walked on to the football team. On Christmas Day, she attempted an extra point at the Las Vegas bowl, and, although the kick was blocked, she was the first woman to play in a division 1-A game. The following year, she kicked two points after touchdown to become the first woman to score in a Division 1-A game. Following graduation, Hnida hit the lecture circuit, and played semi-pro ball for the Colorado Cobras. [SFX: Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves]

[SFX: SOUND827]: In Other News: DATELINE Washington, DC, December 1970 - The King drops in on the president to volunteer as drug czar: http://bit.ly/14RTzz

The Back-Story: [SFX: Users Are Losers; The No No Song] It was an odd juxtaposition: The convservative American president in his coat and tie, and “the King,” in gaudy jewelry, high collar,long hair, and sideburns. The meeting itself was something of an oddity, too. Elvis Presley showed up at the White House, with gifts – a Colt 45 pistol and some autographed pictures – and a six-page letter that he had hand-written on his flight to Washington, asking the president to name him a “Federal Agent at Large” in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Nixon welcomed Presley’s support, urging him to maintain his credibility, and providing a specially prepared badge from the bureau, with Presley’s name on it.[SFX: Julie's On the Drug Squad]

[SFX: SOUND827] This week’s birthdays:[SFX: In the Club]

December 20: Mentalist Uri Geller
December 21: Communist dictator Joseph Stalin
December 22: Brothers Gibb Maurice and Robin
December 23: Entrepreneur Madame CJ Walker
December 24: Poet Matthew Arnold
December 25: Mathematician Sir Isaac Newton
And December 26: Mathematician and computing pioneer Charles Babbage

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