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

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 16, 2021Unearthing a queen s lost tale
Mar 2, 2022Mount Rainier National Park
Oct 7, 2019From the mind of Frank Gehry
Dec 11, 2018‘The mountains are calling’
Oct 27, 2024Polar Bear Week
Oct 12, 2023Farmers Day
Jul 17, 2022The Wave at Coyote Buttes
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
May 8, 2018Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
Apr 16, 2021 A theatrical dream
Jan 20, 2023Penguin Awareness Day
Feb 11, 2021It’s showtime for a precious crop
Nov 16, 2023World Philosophy Day
Mar 3, 2023Killer whales in Spildra, Norway
Oct 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire
Jan 29, 2022Brain coral
Oct 14, 2019Canadian Thanksgiving
Dec 31, 2018A new tradition in London
Feb 26, 2023Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
Aug 19, 2022National Aviation Day
Oct 30, 2023Common raven
Nov 18, 2023Polar bear season in Manitoba
Mar 25, 2021There was gold in them there hills…
Jan 20, 2020A march toward a dream
Jan 23, 2024Atolls in the Maldives
Oct 21, 2025Happy Diwali!
Apr 4, 2021A yearly sign that spring has sprung
Nov 18, 2018An inland ocean
Jun 14, 2025Flag Day
Jun 23, 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh