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:

Jun 8, 2022World Oceans Day
Mar 18, 2024Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
Dec 17, 2020Pining for spring
Mar 2, 2023Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
Mar 29, 2026Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada
Feb 20, 2021An enduring vision
Nov 28, 2025Celebrating Native American Heritage Day
Dec 14, 2021American robin
Feb 25, 2018Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Apr 7, 2020Once in a pink moon
Jan 12, 2025Crescent-tail bigeye fish, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Feb 26, 2026Grand Canyon National Park anniversary
Apr 9, 2021A timeless view of the night sky
Jun 15, 2025Happy Fathers Day!
Jan 7, 2024Old Rock Day
Nov 13, 2019Big-wave hunters watch Nazaré
Jun 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Oct 31, 2024Happy Halloween!
Jun 11, 2022Misool Island, Indonesia
Jun 24, 2022Cenote near Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
Mar 22, 2023World Water Day
Jan 18, 2023White Sands National Park turns 90
Apr 15, 2020Art and soul
Jun 11, 2023Goliath heron in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Apr 25, 2023World Penguin Day
Jul 22, 2018Travel Sunday: On the Ganges in Varanasi, India
Feb 6, 2024Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Aug 4, 2024Friendship Day
Oct 10, 2018Space is for everyone
Aug 15, 2018Best. Holiday. Ever.