On this day... December 25:

On this day...

December 25: Christmas Day (Gregorian calendar); Quaid-e-Azam Day (Pakistan) 1066 – Norman Conquest: William the Conquerorwas crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, although he still faced rebellions over the following years and was not secure on his throne until after 1072. 1776 – American Revolutionary War: At night,George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton the next morning. 1926 – Emperor Taishō died of a heart attack, and was succeeded by his son, Hirohito, who ruled until his death in 1989, becoming the longest-reigning Emperor of Japan. 1989 – Romanian Revolution: Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu(pictured) and his wife Elena were condemned to death under a wide range of charges and executed. 2007 – A tiger at the San Francisco Zoo escaped from its enclosure and attacked three patrons before it was shot and killed.