It happened on a… December 24

1989

Panama’s dictator, Manual Noriega, seeks asylum at Vatican embassy.

Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan in support of the country’s Marxist government.

Walt Disney’s “Aristocats” is released.

For the first time ever, a midnight Mass was broadcast on television. It was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Henry Ford completes his first useful petrol / gasoline fuelled engine

Giusseppi Verdi’s “Aida” opera premieres in Cairo.

Several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, TN, called the Ku Klux Klan.

Franz Gruber of Oberndorf, Germany composed the music for “Silent Night” to words written by Josef Mohr.

Sieur de Maisonneuve climbs Mount Royal and plants a cross on the summit.