- In 1560, Protestantism was formally adopted at the First General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The Scottish Parliament had earlier voted to accept a Calvinist confession of faith, declaring that the Roman Catholic pope no longer had jurisdiction over Scotland.
- In 1817, Joseph Mohr began serving as pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. On Christmas Eve 1818, Mohr and church organist Franz Gruber together produced the enduring Christmas carol, Stille Nacht/Silent Night.
