December 20th

Today's Highlight in History:
On December 20th, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union.

On this date:
In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

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.

In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Georgia, as Union General William T. Sherman continued his "March to the Sea."

In 1879, Thomas A. Edison privately demonstrated his incandescent light at Menlo Park, New Jersey.

In 1945, the Office of Price Administration announced the end of tire rationing, effective January first, 1946.

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 1968, author John Steinbeck died in New York at age 66.

In 1976, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley died at age 74.

In 1980, the government of the Soviet Union confirmed that former Premier Alexei N. Kosygin had died two days earlier at the age of 76.

In 1987, more than 3,000 people were killed when the "Dona Paz," a Philippine passenger ship, collided with the tanker "Vector" off Mindoro island.

Ten years ago: The United States launched Operation "Just Cause," sending troops into Panama to topple the government of General Manuel Noriega.

Five years ago: Former President Jimmy Carter succeeded in getting Bosnia's warring factions to agree to a temporary cease-fire. Intel announced it would replace all flawed Pentium computer chips. Marcelino Corniel, a homeless man, was shot and mortally wounded by White House security officers as he brandished a knife near the execution mansion. Former Secretary of State Dean Rusk died in Athens, Georgia, at age 85.

One year ago: Nkem Chukwu gave birth in Houston to 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.)

"You can keep the things of bronze and stone and give me one man to remember me just once a year."

-- Damon Runyan, American writer (1884-1946).