A German soldier giving a British soldier a light to his cigarette during the truce.
Just five months into WWI in December 1914, unofficial truces and ceasefires were called by soldiers in the Western and Eastern fronts of the Great War.
The first of these Christmas Truces was made a week before Christmas, during the stalemates of the First Battle of Ypres and Race to Sea, French and British soldiers met German men in no man’s land on the Western Front of WWI. During this first truce, soldiers sang carols, exchanged gifts, talked, and even played soccer with each other.
On the Eastern Front, Austro-Hungarian and Russian soldiers had a similar ceasefire. In some of these truces, the two sides would go recover bodies, have funerals for dead men, and exchange prisoners with each other.
During 1915, there were some short truces, not just during Christmas but also during the rest of the year. Sadly after the truces of 1914, unofficial ceasefires (not called by officials) were looked down upon by higher authorities and by 1916 you could be court-martialed for doing so.
Some commanders directly disobeyed orders from generals that threatened to punish them with death if they called a ceasefire with the enemy. This was because higher commanders didn’t want the enemy to be seen as human rather as a horrible evil that needed to be destroyed at all costs.
A monument to commemorate the Christmas Truce at Ypres Battlefield in France, showing a British and German soldier shaking hands over a soccer ball.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 was one of the only times in WWI when soldiers from seperate sides came together on neutral ground to fraternize, trade, and play games. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
About: On December 24, 1954, Laos gained independence from France. It was formerly known as French Indo China and was connected with Vietnam.
Golden Pagoda Wat Phra in Vientiane, Laos.
Latvia (Europe)
Latvia flag
Capital: Riga
Population: 2 Million
Size: 24,938 sq. miles
Currency: Euro
Tallest point: Gaizinkalns 1,024 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 99%
Main languages: Latvian, Russian
About: In 1940 the Soviet Union told Latvia and the rest of the Baltic States to join the Soviet Union in defense against Nazi Germany. The Baltic States were invaded by Nazi Germany (1941-1943). The Soviet Union eventually completely took over Latvia and in 1993 it became independent.
Town hall of Riga, Latvia.
Lebanon (Asia)
Lebanon flag
Capital: Beirut
Population: 6.8 Million
Size: 4,036 sq. miles
Currency: Lebanese Pound
Tallest point: Mount Lebanon 2,500 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 61.1%
Main languages: Arabic, French, and Lebanese
About: In 1946, Lebanon gained independence from France. It was formerly part of French Syria.
Raouche rock, Lebanon.
Lesotho (Africa)
Lesotho flag
Capital: Maseru
Population: 2.1 Million
Size: 11,720 sq. miles
Currency: Lesotho Loti and South African Rand
Tallest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 11,424 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 92.3%
Main languages: Sesotho, English
About: Lesotho gained independence from Britain on October 4, 1966. It was formerly part of British Southern Africa.
Thaba-Bosiu monument Maseru, Lesotho.
Liberia (Africa)
Liberia flag
Capital: Monrovia
Population: 5 Million
Size: 43,000 sq. miles
Currency: Liberian Dollar
Tallest point: Mount Wuteve 5,748 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 83.1%
Main languages: English
About: In 1822, Liberia was colonized by freed American slaves and was partly an American colony. In 1847 it was proclaimed independent.
African Rennaissance Monument, Liberia
Libya (Africa)
Libya flag
Capital: Tripoli
Population: 6.8 Million
Size: 679,363 sq. miles
Currency: Libyan Dinar
Tallest point: Bikku Bitti 7,434 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 100%
Main languages: Arabic, Berber, Italian, and Teda
About: In the 1930s, Libya was invaded by Italy. By the end of WW2, it gained independence. It didn’t fully gain independence until 1949.
ww2 bunker in Libya
Liechtenstein (Europe)
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Capital: Vaduz
Population: 38,749
Size: 62 sq. miles
Currency: Swiss Franc
Tallest point: Grauspitz 8,527 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 83.2%
Main languages: German
About: In 814 AD Liechtenstein became a country.
Castle in Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Lithuania (Europe)
Lithuania flag
Capital: Vilnius
Population: 2.7 Million
Size: 25,200 sq. miles
Currency: Euro
Tallest point: Aukstojas 964 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 93%
Main languages: Lithuanian, Polish, and Russian
About:Â In 1940 the Soviet Union told Lithuania and the rest of the Baltic States to join the Soviet Union in defense against Nazi Germany. The Baltic States were invaded by Nazi Germany (1941-1943) The Soviet Union eventually completely took over Lithuania and in 1993 it became independent.
Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
Luxembourg (Europe)
Luxembourg flag
Capital: Luxembourg City
Population: 626,108
Size: 998 sq. miles
Currency: Euro
Tallest point: Kneiff 1,833 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 73.2%
Main languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German
About: From 1940-1945 Luxembourg was under control of Nazi Germany. In 1945 it was liberated by the United States.
Castle in Clervaux, Luxembourg. The Castle is actually a site of a ww2 battle against United States and Nazi soldiers.
Madagascar (Africa)
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Capital: AntananarivoÂ
Population: 26.2 Million
Size: 226,658 sq. miles
Currency: Malagasy Ariary
Tallest point: Maromokotro 9,436 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 85.3%
Main languages: Malagasy, French
About: On June 26, 1960, Madagascar gained independence from the French.
Baobab trees during a sunset, Madagascar
Malawi (Africa)
Malawi flag
Capital: Lilongwe
Population: 19.1 Million
Size: 45,747 sq. miles
Currency: Kwacha
Tallest point: Mulanje Massif 9,849 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 77.3%
Main languages: English, Chewa, Yao, and Tumbuka
About: On July 6, 1964, Malawi became independent from Great Britain. It was formerly part of British South Africa.
St. Michael church in Blantyre, Malawi
Malaysia (Asia)
Malaysia flag
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Population: 32.7 Million
Size: 127,724 sq. miles
Currency: Ringgit
Tallest point: Mount Kinabalu 8,462 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 61.3%
Main languages: Malay, English
About: On August 31, 1957, Malaysia became independent from Great Britain. It was formerly part of British Siam.
Zahir Mosque, Malaysia
Maldives (Asia)
Maldives flag
Capital: Male
Population: 379,270
Size: 120 sq. miles
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
Tallest point: Addu Atoll 8 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 100%
Main languages: Dhivehi (Maldivian), English
About: On July 26, 1965, Maldives gained independence from Great Britain.
Tsunami monument in Male, Maldives
Mali (Africa)
Mali flag
Capital: Bamako
Population: 20.2 Million
Size: 478,841 sq. miles
Currency: CFA Franc
Tallest point: Mount Hombori 3,789 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 95%
Main languages: French, Hindi, Arabic, English, and Fulani
About: On August 20, 1959, Mali gained independence from France.
Grand Mosque made out of mud in Djenne, Mali
Malta (Europe)
Malta flag
Capital: Valletta
Population: 514,564
Size: 122 sq. miles
Currency: Euro
Tallest point: Dingli Cliffs 620 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 100%
Main languages: Maltese, English, and Italian
About: On September 21, 1964, Malta gained independence from Great Britain.
Ancient ruins in Malta
Marshall Islands (Australia and the Pacific)
Marshall islands flag
Capital: Majuro
Population: 58,413
Size: 70 sq. miles
Currency: United States Dollar
Tallest point: Unnamed Location 33 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 97%
Main languages: Marshallese, English
About: During WW2 the United States occupied the Marshall Islands so the Japanese couldn’t. In 1979 the Marshall Islands became independent.
Sunken Japanese aircraft from the battle of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, 1944
Mauritania (Africa)
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Capital: Nouakchott
Population: 4.4 Million
Size: 400,000 sq. miles
Currency: Ouguiya
Tallest point: Kediet Ijill 3,001 feet tall
Main religion: Islam 100%
Main languages: Arabic, French, and English
About: On July 28, 1960, Mauritania became independent from France.
Stone Mosque in Chinguetti, Mauritania
Mauritius (Africa)
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Capital: Port Louis
Population: 1.2 Million
Size: 790 sq. miles
Currency: Mauritian rupee
Tallest point: Piton de la Rivière Noire 2,710 feet tall
Main religion: Hinduism 48.54%
Main languages: Mauritian Creole, French, and English
About: On March 12, 1968, Mauritius gained independence from Great Britain.
La Citadelle de la Port Louis in Port Louis, Mauritius
Mexico (North America)
Mexico flag
Capital: Mexico City
Population: 128.6 Million
Size: 761,610 sq. miles
Currency: Mexican Peso
Tallest point: Pico de Orizaba 18,491 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 90.7%
Main languages: Spanish, and Amerindian Languages
About: On September 16, 1810, Mexico declared independence from Spain. A civil war followed.
Chichen Itza Aztec temple in Yucatan, Mexico
Micronesia (Australia and the Pacific)
Micronesia flag
Capital: Palikir
Population: 104,468
Size: 271 sq. miles
Currency: United States Dollar
Tallest point: Pohnpei 2,566 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 93.5%
Main languages: English, Chuukese, Kosraean, Pohnpeian, and Yapese
About: Before WW1, the German Empire owned many islands in the Pacific. During WW1, the Japanese Empire took all their islands. After WW2, the United States had occupied the islands. In 1979 they gained independence from the United States.
German bell tower in Pohnpei, Micronesia
Moldova (Europe)
Moldova flag
Capital: Chisinau
Population: 2.6 Million
Size: 13,068 sq. miles
Currency: Leu
Tallest point: Moldoveanu 8,346 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 90.1%
Main languages: Moldovan, Russian, Bulgarian, Ukranian, and Gagauz
About: In 1991 during the fall of the Soviet Union, it became independent.
St. Theodor Tiron convent in Chisinau, Moldova
Monaco (Europe)
Monaco flag (Exactly the same as Indonesia flag)
Capital: Monaco-Ville
Population: 38,300
Size: 0.81 sq. miles
Currency: Euro
Tallest point: Hvannadalshnukur 6,921 feet tall
Main religion: Christain 100%
Main languages: French, Monegasques, and Italian
About: In 1814 Monaco became independent from France.
Prince’s Palace, Monaco-Ville, Monaco
Mongolia (Asia)
Mongolia flag
Capital: Ulan Bator (Ulaanbaator)
Population: 3.3 Million
Size: 605,000 sq. miles
Currency: Togrog
Tallest point: Khuiten Peak 14,350 feet tall
Main religion: Buddhism 53%
Main languages: Mongolian
About: On December 29, 1911, Mongolia gained independence from the Qing Dynasty.
