As the Bible fails to mention the day Jesus was born, the 4th Century Pope Julius declared that Christ's birthday was December 25th, so Happy Birthday anyway.

Other famous people born today include:
Vocalist Annie Lennox
Singer Amy Grant
Comedian Kenny Everett
Singer Alice Cooper, but only according to Rolling Stone Magazine (it is really 4th February)
British Royal Princess Alexandra
Hotelier Conrad Hilton
Actor Humphrey Bogart
Model Helena Christensen
And Musician Dido

For the merely mortal people born around this time of year their birthday celebrations are watered down a bit by Christmas. A dear friend of author Robert Louis Stevenson, Miss Anna Ide, was lucky enough to inherit Robert's November 13th Birthday, as he knew she really disliked her own Christmas birthday. Read how he willed his birthday to Anna here.

A really good way to dampen Christmas spirits is to die today like:
Comedian Charlie Chaplin
Writer W.C. Fields
Singer Dean Martin
Artist Joan Miro
And Musician James Brown

If that has put a downer on your Christmas Day be thankful you're not living in England between 1647 and 1660. For 13 years, puritan leader Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas altogether, believing such celebrations were inappropriate for the holiest day of the year.

Anyway what are you reading this blog for today? Shouldn't you be unwrapping presents, eating lots and having a drink or two?

Happy Christmas.

Reliable and (some unreliable) information from
http://www.santas.net/generalchristmasfacts4.htm
http://www.pubquizhelp.com/christmas/births.html
http://www.brainyhistory.com/daysbirth/birth_december_25.html
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cromwell_england.htm