Published: Sunday, December 20, 2009
Today in History
Today is Sunday, Dec. 20, the 354th day of 2009. There are 11 days left in the year.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT
On Dec. 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States during ceremonies in New Orleans.
ON THIS DATE
In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I.
In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union.
In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Ga., as Union Gen. William T. Sherman continued his “March to the Sea.”
In 1963, the Berlin Wall was opened for the first time to West Berliners, who were allowed one-day visits to relatives in the Eastern sector for the holidays.
In 1976, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley died at age 74.
In 1978, former White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman was released from prison after serving 18 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up.
In 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega.
In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples of the opposite sex. Country music legend Hank Snow died in Nashville, Tenn., at age 85.
In 2004, in a sobering assessment of the Iraq war, President George W. Bush acknowledged during a news conference that Americans’ resolve had been shaken by grisly scenes of death and destruction, and he pointedly criticized the performance of U.S.-trained Iraqi troops.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 63. Producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) is 63. Rock musician Alan Parsons is 61. Actress Jenny Agutter is 57. Rock singer Billy Bragg is 52. Movie director Todd Phillips is 39.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. ... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” — C.S. Lewis, British author (1898-1963).
Associated Press
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT
On Dec. 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States during ceremonies in New Orleans.
ON THIS DATE
In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I.
In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union.
In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Ga., as Union Gen. William T. Sherman continued his “March to the Sea.”
In 1963, the Berlin Wall was opened for the first time to West Berliners, who were allowed one-day visits to relatives in the Eastern sector for the holidays.
In 1976, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley died at age 74.
In 1978, former White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman was released from prison after serving 18 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up.
In 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega.
In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples of the opposite sex. Country music legend Hank Snow died in Nashville, Tenn., at age 85.
In 2004, in a sobering assessment of the Iraq war, President George W. Bush acknowledged during a news conference that Americans’ resolve had been shaken by grisly scenes of death and destruction, and he pointedly criticized the performance of U.S.-trained Iraqi troops.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 63. Producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) is 63. Rock musician Alan Parsons is 61. Actress Jenny Agutter is 57. Rock singer Billy Bragg is 52. Movie director Todd Phillips is 39.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. ... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” — C.S. Lewis, British author (1898-1963).
Associated Press
Comments
(
