Today in 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Today in 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.
Today in 1843,"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was first published. It sold out by Christmas Eve.
Today in 1957, Elvis Presley received his draft notice.
Today in 1980, TV experimented with football as NBC covered the "meaningless" NFL game between the New York Jets (4-11) and the Miami Dolphins (8-7). No announcers were in the booth. The only sounds heard were field noise and spectators as the pictures tried to convey the emotion of the game. Headlines the next day read, “Jets Silence Dolphins 24-17.”
Today in 1998, Nkem Chukwu gave birth in Houston to the world’s first octuplets – five girls and two boys, 12 days after giving birth to another child, a girl. (However, the tiniest of the babies died a week later.)
Today 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.
Today in 2017, the US House and Senate passed $1.5-trillion tax and jobs bill, the biggest tax overhaul for decades.
Today in 2018, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced his resignation after disagreements with President Donald Trump.