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1860 - First official football match - December 26

Trying to claim this as the first match EVER is going a bit far - some say the beautiful game has existed since the 14th Century in one shape or another. But the local derby between English rivals Sheffield FC and Hallam FC is certainly the oldest recorded fixture between two official clubs and played to FA rules. The score who knows? Incidentally, the Sandygate Road ground where the match took place, is still the home to Hallam FC, who share it with Hallam Cricket Club.

1908 - Boxing Day, literally - December 26

Jack Johnson [no, not the singer] became the first black boxer to win a world heavyweight title by knocking out erstwhile belt holder Tommy Burns in the 14th round of their title bout in Sydney. The 'Galveston Giant', as he was known, held the title for another seven years and beat the legendary James J Jeffries in the 'fight of the century' in front of 22,000 fans in Reno, Nevada. Beat that Ricky Hatton.

1866 - First transatlantic yacht race finishes - December 25

It's Christmas Day and the whole world takes a break for 24 hours unless you're trying to win the world's first transatlantic yacht race that is. After a 13-day voyage from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, the American yacht Henrietta, skippered by S.Samuels and owned by 21-year-old James Gordon Bennett [yes, as in the saying], sailed into Cowes Harbour on the Isle of Wight to collect the $90,000 prize.

1935 - 17 goals in one game? Come on - December 26

Fans at Prenton Park certainly got their money's worth as Third Division North side Tranmere Rovers took on Oldham Athletic and spectacularly won 13-4. Superstar striker Robert "Bunny" Bell missed a penalty in the first half, but made up for it somewhat with nine goals before the final whistle. The match still holds the record for the most number of goals scored in an English league tie.

1993 - Caught with his pants down - December 28

Hands up who remembers Vadium Naumov winning the 1994 ice staking world title. What, nobody? That's probably because the most momentous moment of his career came on December 28 a year earlier. Skating for gold in the Russian championships, the bottom of his trousers got caught in one of his skates, pulling them down and revealing a rather fetching pair of red velvet underpants. His mother must have been so proud.

Eurosport