The birthplace of a classic Christmas carol Dec 24, 2018

The birthplace of a classic Christmas carol

All is calm here in Salzburg, Austria, tonight–much like we imagine it was on this day 200 years ago, when the song ‘Silent Night’ made its debut in the world. This is the bicentennial of the popular carol, written by Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr, and first performed in a chapel in the nearby town of Oberndorf. The song has since been performed by artists around the world and was given intangible cultural heritage status by UNESCO. But the most popular recording of the song belongs to Bing Crosby, whose rendition remains the third best-selling single of all time.

© MacEaton/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Dec 24, 2019Dashing through the snow
Dec 24, 2020Hey, don t you guys have somewhere to be?
Dec 24, 2021Smoking nights in Austria
Dec 24, 2022Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 2023Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights, and hearts full of joy
Dec 24, 2025Christmas Eve

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 21, 2022National Hug Day
Jul 27, 2022Mada in Saleh, Saudi Arabia
Nov 13, 2021Ronda, Spain
Aug 20, 2019Lakeside serenity in Finland
Sep 25, 2024Sequoia National Parks 134th anniversary
Sep 4, 2021Humming along
May 1, 2022AAPI Heritage Month & Lei Day
Nov 17, 2022National Take a Hike Day
Jul 14, 2019Nesting season for the leatherbacks
Oct 20, 2021Feeling lazy? Today s your day.
Jul 16, 2022American goldfinch
Dec 25, 2021Merry Christmas
Aug 25, 2024National Park Service Founders Day
Sep 17, 2023Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Aug 15, 2025Spotted eagle rays in the Galápagos Islands
Jun 27, 2023Sedona, Arizona
Oct 23, 2022Mute swan
Feb 2, 2025Groundhog Day
Feb 16, 2020When an ideal microclimate gives you lemons…
May 8, 2020Victory in Europe, 75 years ago
Sep 9, 2019A toast to California!
Oct 29, 2020Let s get lost
Jan 4, 2021Sparkling ice diamonds on a black sandy beach
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messenia, Greece
Aug 17, 2022Freshwater plants in Aquário Natural, Brazil
May 23, 2020Bask in the glow—It s World Turtle Day
Aug 26, 2018From pirate port to nature preserve
Feb 19, 2018Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC
Feb 21, 2023New Orleans for Mardi Gras
Dec 27, 2020Turning darkness into light