This Date Is a Good Date to Die

Today is Thursday, December 20th, the 354th day of 2007. There are 11 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On December 20th, 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. [Have something a couple hundred yrs., & you just don't take care of it like you used to. — Ed.] On this date: In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Georgia, as Union General William T. Sherman continued his "March to the Sea." In 1879, Thomas Edison privately demonstrated his incandescent light at Menlo Park, N.J. [And now they're about to be outlawed. — Ed.] In 1945, the Office of Price Administration announced the end of tire rationing, effective January 1st, 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 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 1987, more than 4,300 people were killed when the Dona Paz, a Philippine passenger ship, collided with the tanker Vector off Mindoro island. [That's a lot of people. Typo? — Ed.] In 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of General Manuel Noriega. In 1994, former Secretary of State Dean Rusk died at age 85. In 1996, astronomer Carl Sagan died at age 62. Ten years ago: President Nelson Mandela stepped down as leader of South Africa's governing African National Congress. Pope John Paul II sent Christmas greetings to the Cuban people in advance of his visit to the island. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples. Five years ago: Trent Lott resigned as Senate Republican leader two weeks after igniting a political firestorm with racially charged remarks. The nation's ten biggest brokerages agreed to pay 1.44 billion dollars and fundamentally change the way they did business to settle allegations they'd misled investors by hyping certain companies' stocks. Ted Williams' eldest daughter, Bobby-Jo Williams Ferrell, dropped her objections to her siblings' decision to have the Hall of Famer's body frozen at a cryonics lab in Arizona. n 2005, a federal judge ruled that "intelligent design" could not be mentioned in biology classes in a Pennsylvania public school district. One year ago: Acknowledging deepening frustration over Iraq, President Bush told a news conference he was considering an increase in American forces and warned that the next year would bring more painful U.S. losses. Recently sworn-in Defense Secretary Robert Gates made an unannounced visit to Iraq. Today's Birthdays: Actress Audrey Totter is 90. Comedian Charlie Callas is 80. Actor John Hillerman is 75. Rock musician-music producer Bobby Colomby is 63. Rock musician Peter Criss is 62. Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 61. Producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") is 61. Rock musician Alan Parsons is 58. Actress Jenny Agutter is 55. Rock singer Billy Bragg is 50. Rock singer-musician Mike Watt is 50. Born On This Date & Later Died: Harvey Samuel Firestone, industrialist (1868) Branch Rickey, baseball executive; integrated the major leagues by signing (1945) Jackie Robinson to a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. (1881) Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman, athlete (1886) Susanne K. Langer, philosopher (1895) Sidney Hook, philosopher (1902) Show Bidness History: In 1946, the Frank Capra film "It's A Wonderful Life" had a preview showing for charity at New York City's Globe Theatre, a day before its official premiere. In 1958, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon performed as The Quarrymen at the wedding reception of Harrison's brother, Harry. [Back to Beatle action. — Ed.] In 1967, singer Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick formed Jethro Tull. Also in 1967, singer Jimmy Rodgers was beaten during a roadside attack in Los Angeles. He had to have three brain operations and had a steel plate put into his skull. In 1973, singer Bobby Darin died during open heart surgery. He was 37. In 1975, former James Gang member Joe Walsh joined The Eagles. He replaced Bernie Leadon, who left The Eagles for a solo career. In 1981, the musical "Dreamgirls," which was loosely based on the career of Diana Ross and the Supremes, premiered on Broadway. In 1986, Randy Travis joined the Grand Ole Opry. In 1995, the members of The Drifters were forbidden to leave Guyana after a series of concerts. They owed about $4,000 in entertainment taxes. In 2006, Eminem and Kim Mathers were divorced for a second time. They had first married in 1999 and divorced in 2001. They remarried in January 2006 and he field [sic]for divorce again that April.