Random trivia: 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was hated by TV executives when they saw it for the first time.They worried that it was too religious.

Linus quotes straight from the Bible (Luke 2:8-14).

But creator Charles Schulz fought to keep the special just as it was and CBS executives gave in.

On Thursday, December 9, 1965 it aired for the first time and was seen in more than 15 million homes, capturing nearly half of the possible audience.

It was an instant hit with viewers and reviewers alike.

Today it's the longest-running cartoon special in history.