December 20th
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 1820,Missouri imposed the “bachelor tax.”As in, unmarried men between the ages of 21 and 50 were required to pay one dollar a year.
Today in 1843,"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was first published. It sold out by Christmas Eve.
Today in 1880, New York's original theater district, located on Broadway between 14th and 26th streets,was illuminated with electric lights. Soon after, the area became known as “the Great White Way.”
Today in 1920,an English-born comedian named Leslie Downes – better known as Bob Hope –became an American citizen. He had lived in the United States since 1908.
Today in 1946, "It's A Wonderful Life," starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, had a charity preview showing at New York City's Globe Theatre.
Today in 1957,Elvis Presley received his draft notice.
Today in 1965,the TV show, "The Dating Game," with host Jim Lange,debuted on ABC-TV.
Today in 1974,the James Bond film, "Man With The Golden Gun,"was released in theaters nationwide.
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). Noannouncers 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 1985, Howard Cosell retired from television sports after 20 years with ABC.
Today in 1986,the Soviet Union announced it hadfreed dissident Andrei Sakharov from internal exile, and pardoned his wife, Yelena Bonner.
Today in 1989,Michael Moore's film, "Roger and Me,"opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 1989,Vice President Dan Quayle sent out 30,000 Christmas cards with word beacon spelled beakon.
Today in 1996,a judge in Orange County, California,gave O.J. Simpson full custody of his two young children. The ruling was later overturned.
Today in 1996,the movie, "One Fine Day," starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney,opened in theaters nationwide. On the same day, "Beavis and Butthead Do America,"started doing America.
Today in 1996,famed astronomer Carl Sagan died in Seattle at the age of 62.
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 couplesof the opposite sex.
Today in 2002,“Gangs of New York” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 2005,the first same sex civil partnerships in Scotland were celebrated.
Today in 2007,her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the oldest ever monarch of the United Kingdom, surpassing Queen Victoria, who lived for 81 years, 7 months, and 29 days. For the record, she’s also had the longest reign of ANY British monarch.
Today in 2012,Intercontinental Exchange purchased the New York Stock Exchange, the largest in the world, for $8-billion.
Today in 2014, Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley killed two NYPD officers in Brooklyn, New York– supposedly in revenge for the killing of Eric Garner, before killing himself.
Today in 2015,a landslide from construction waste in Shenzhen, China buried 30 buildings and left more than 70 dead or missing.
Today in 2017,Lady Gaga signed a two-year Las Vegas residency deal for $75mat MGM Park Theatre.
Today in 2017, the US House and Senatepassed $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