12/17/1939
In Ottawa, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand sign the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan agreement.

12/17/1944
German forces conduct counterattacks in the Ardennes.

12/18/1941
Japanese forces invade the island of Hong Kong. Backed by heavy artillery, and total control of the air, the Japanese force the Allies into a bloody surrender on Christmas Day. Canadian casualties in the battle were approximately 290 killed and 493 wounded. Hundreds of others die while prisoners of war in Hong Kong and Japan.

12/19/1941
Company Sergeant-Major John Robert Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers earns the Victoria Cross during fighting at Hong Kong. After a brave rearguard action on Mount Butler, Osborn dies after throwing himself onto a grenade that threatens the lives of fellow his soldiers.

12/19/2005
Inauguration of Afghan National Assembly.

12/20/1813
In retaliation for the burning of Newark, the British destroy much of the East Niagara River area.

12/20/1915
Continually pressed by Turkish forces, the Newfoundland Regiment is evacuated from Suvla Bay, Gallipoli.

12/21/1883
The Second Militia Act is passed, establishing a standing army for Canada. With a strength not to exceed 750 men, its primary duty is to train the militia. The two existing batteries of artillery at Kingston, Ont., and Quebec are renamed the Regiment of Canadian Artillery. The act authorizes the creation of a regular troop of cavalry and three regular companies of infantry. The cavalry school corps and the infantry school corps later became the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the Royal Canadian Regiment, respectively.

12/21/1943
The Second Canadian Infantry Brigade, supported by Three Rivers Regt. tanks, enters Ortona, Italy. The Canadians soon encounter fresh troops from the elite 1st Parachute Division. For seven days the brigade fights house to house, using innovative tactics until the Germans, defeated in the streets and nearly outflanked to the west by 1st Cdn. Inf. Bde., abandon the town.

12/21-28/1943

Canadian soldiers begin attacks and eventually succeed in capturing the Italian town of Ortona on the Adriatic coast. During the vicious fighting in the seaside town, Canadians perfected a new battle technique called “mouse-holing.” Soldiers would blow a hole through an inside wall and then attack through that hole into the next house.

12/22/1977
Ottawa approves construction of new naval frigates, but it will take years to get the ships into the water.

12/23/1915
As the second Christmas of the war approaches, the soldiers of the Canadian Corps suffer through a cold and wet winter in Flanders. This was something new to the men of 2nd Canadian Division, but those of 1st Div. had seen it all before while training in England during the winter of 1914-15. During the same month corps headquarters is authorized to form 3rd Canadian Div.

12/23/1956
British and French forces leave the Suez Canal after the United Nations and United States force an end to the armed occupation of the region.

12/24/1944
The Canadian minesweeper Clayoquot is torpedoed by U-806 off Halifax. Seventy-six survive. Eight perish.

12/24/1968
Apollo 8 safely orbits the moon.