PARACULTURAL CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 25

On this day in 800, Charlemagne is crowned as Holy Roman Emperor, in Rome.

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On this day in 1868, US President Andrew Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all Civil War Confederate soldiers. Big mistake, that.

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On this day in 1950, the Stone of Scone, traditional coronation stone of British monarchs, is taken from Westminster Abbey by Scottish nationalist students. It later turns up in Scotland on April 11, 1951.

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On this day in 1974, Marshall Fields drives a vehicle through the gates of the White House, resulting in a four-hour standoff.

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On this day in 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as General Secretary of the Soviet Union (the union itself is dissolved the next day). Ukraine's referendum is finalized and Ukraine officially leaves the Soviet Union.

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On this day in 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a bill into law that officially establishes a new National Anthem of Russia, with music adopted from the anthem of the Soviet Union that was composed by Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov.

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On this day in 2004, Cassini orbiter releases Huygens probe which successfully landed on Saturn's moon Titan on January 14, 2005, giving us an astonishing video and audio record to marvel at. If only for this, I am glad Youtube exists.