Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYK0BJZF3yNb2fw1EdAXUQ/join Did WW1 really come to a halt for one day only, and the soldiers meet for friendly exchanges? How did the authorities react to the truce, and did they try to stop it happening again? And did they really play football? Hive. Know your power. Visit https://hivehome.com to find out more. Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Social channels: https://www.instagram.com/theresthistory/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theresthistory https://x.com/TheRestHistory https://bsky.app/profile/theresthistory.bsky.social https://www.threads.com/@theresthistory 00:00 Intro 00:26 Hive 01:53 Opening letter 03:06 Why the truce matters 06:40 Setting the scene on the Western Front in late 1914 10:25 Where and why fraternisation starts (south of Ypres) 13:16 Britain vs France 15:06 Commanders push back 16:34 Build-up to Christmas 19:53 Carol singing and the first night of the truce 23:29 Christmas Day in No Man’s Land 27:53 What did they talk about, and what did it do to their thinking about the war? 30:14 Poem 31:30 The football question 39:47 How it ends 40:46 Henry Williamson’s later life 43:08 Reactions then vs later 47:35 Aftermath and reporting 49:33 Not the last truce 51:02 How the truce becomes a modern “symbol” 52:41 Why 2014 hits so hard 54:22 Closing reflection Video Editor: Jack Meek Social Producer: Harry Balden Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude Producer: Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith Executive Producer: Dom Johnson