In 1914, during the First World War, an event took place between German and British soldiers that is still remembered 111 years later and reflects that even in the harshest contexts, a moment of joy can be shared. The First World War began at the end of July of that same year, following the assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, along with his wife, Duchess Sophie. This was the last straw that gave the 'green light' to various countries, which were already under strong previous tensions, to initiate this conflict that lasted for a little over four years. In this context, soldiers went to war with the illusion that it would not last for many months, something that ultimately did not happen. By December, the soldiers were facing a much harsher reality than they had expected after realizing their hope for a short war was far from an accurate forecast. Thus arrived Christmas Eve 1914, when one of the most surprising moments of that First World War was experienced. According to a report accessed by the Argentine News Agency, it all began with German soldiers, who started to place decorations and candles on the edges of their trenches. Then they began to sing carols, while the British responded by singing in English. A short while later, cordial greetings were going back and forth from one side of a trench to the other, so several soldiers went to 'no man's land,' as the space between trenches was known. Thus, on Christmas 1914, thousands of soldiers exchanged cigarettes, shared food and alcohol, and even played football. While historical records mark that several matches were played, mainly in Belgium and northern France, the most famous of them speaks of a 3-2 victory for the Germans over the British. Thus, during Christmas Eve and Christmas 1914, a ceasefire was experienced in the middle of the World War where camaraderie and the joy of the soldiers prevailed to share a good moment among so many misfortunes.
