On December 20, history has unfolded with remarkable events that shaped nations and cultures. From South Carolina’s secession in 1860, igniting the American Civil War, to Macau’s return to China in 1999, this date holds profound significance. Births of iconic figures and groundbreaking innovations also mark the day. What other pivotal moments occurred on this date? Uncover the layers of December 20’s storied past.
History
Major Historical Events
1860 – South Carolina Secedes from the Union: On this day, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the United States, marking a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the American Civil War.
The decision was made in response to the election of Abraham Lincoln, whose anti-slavery stance alarmed Southern states.
1946 – Release of “It’s a Wonderful Life”: The iconic Christmas film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, premiered in New York City.
Though initially a box office disappointment, it has since become a beloved holiday classic.
1957 – Elvis Presley Receives Draft Notice: Rock and roll legend Elvis Presley received his draft notice for the United States Army on December 20.
He was inducted the following year, serving two years and becoming a symbol of patriotism during his military tenure.
1968 – Zodiac Killer’s First Confirmed Attack: The Zodiac Killer, an unidentified serial killer, committed his first confirmed murders on this day near Vallejo, California.
The mysterious case remains unsolved, fascinating criminologists and the public for decades.
1999 – Macau Handover to China: After over 400 years of Portuguese rule, Macau was officially handed over to China on December 20, becoming a Special Administrative Region.
This event marked the end of European colonial presence in China.
Famous Birthdays
1946 – Uri Geller: The Israeli illusionist and self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller was born on this day in Tel Aviv.
Known for his spoon-bending tricks, Geller gained international fame in the 1970s and remains a controversial figure in the world of paranormal claims.
1966 – Kiefer Sutherland: Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland, best known for his role as Jack Bauer in the television series “24,” was born in London, England.
His intense performances have earned him multiple awards, including an Emmy.
1976 – Adam Powell: British game designer Adam Powell, co-creator of the popular online game “Neopets,” was born on this day.
His innovative work in virtual pet games influenced online gaming culture in the early 2000s.
1983 – Jonah Hill: American actor and filmmaker Jonah Hill, known for his roles in comedies like “Superbad” and dramatic films like “Moneyball,” was born in Los Angeles, California.
He has since become a respected director and producer as well.
Notable Deaths
1968 – John Steinbeck: The renowned American author John Steinbeck, who penned classics like “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Of Mice and Men,” passed away on this day in New York City at the age of 66.
His works remain cornerstones of American literature.
1973 – Bobby Darin: American singer, songwriter, and actor Bobby Darin, known for hits like “Splish Splash” and “Mack the Knife,” died on December 20 at the age of 37 after heart surgery.
His versatile talent left a lasting impact on entertainment.
1997 – Denise Levertov: British-American poet Denise Levertov, celebrated for her vivid imagery and socially conscious themes, passed away on this day in Seattle at the age of 74.
Her contributions to modern poetry continue to inspire writers.
Today in Music History
1957 – Buddy Holly’s First No. 1 Hit: Buddy Holly and the Crickets reached the top of the Billboard charts with “That’ll Be the Day” on December 20, marking a significant moment in early rock and roll history.
1962 – The Osmonds’ Debut Performance: The Osmond Brothers performed for the first time on national television on “The Andy Williams Show” on this day, launching their journey to fame as a family music group.
1975 – Joe Walsh Joins the Eagles: Guitarist Joe Walsh officially joined the Eagles on December 20, replacing Bernie Leadon.
His addition brought a harder rock edge to the band’s sound, contributing to their massive success.
1980 – Pat Benatar’s Grammy Milestone: On this day, Pat Benatar won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for her album “Crimes of Passion,” solidifying her status as a rock icon.
Today in Sports History
1983 – Guy Lafleur Scores 500th Goal: Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur became the fastest player in NHL history to score 500 career goals on this day, achieving the milestone in just 720 games.
1995 – Michael Jordan’s Return Game: After briefly retiring, Michael Jordan played a standout game on December 20 with the Chicago Bulls, scoring 38 points against the New York Knicks and reminding fans of his unparalleled talent.
2012 – Lionel Messi Breaks Scoring Record: Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi scored his 91st goal of the calendar year on this day, breaking Gerd Müller’s long-standing record for most goals in a single year.
Today in Military and Naval History
1803 – Louisiana Purchase Completed: The formal transfer of the Louisiana Territory from France to the United States was finalized on this day in New Orleans, doubling the size of the U.S. and shaping its westward expansion.
1941 – First Battle of Wake Island Ends: During World War II, the Japanese forces captured Wake Island on December 20 after a fierce battle with American defenders, marking a significant early victory for Japan in the Pacific Theater.
1989 – Operation Just Cause Begins: The United States launched Operation Just Cause on this day, a military invasion of Panama aimed at deposing dictator Manuel Noriega.
The operation concluded with his capture in early January 1990.
Today in Tech and Science History
1951 – First Nuclear Power Generated: On this day, the Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Idaho became the first nuclear reactor to generate usable electricity, lighting four light bulbs and marking a historic step in nuclear energy.
1968 – Apollo 8 Launch Preparations Finalized: NASA finalized preparations for the Apollo 8 mission on December 20, setting the stage for the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon, a landmark achievement in space exploration.
2004 – Spirit Rover’s Mars Milestone: NASA’s Spirit Rover, part of the Mars Exploration Rover mission, completed a significant data transmission on this day, contributing valuable insights into the Martian surface.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1922 – First Performance of “The Good Earth”: A stage adaptation of Pearl S. Buck’s novel “The Good Earth” premiered on this day in New York, bringing the story of Chinese peasant life to American audiences before its famous film adaptation.
1960 – Premiere of “The Nutcracker” on TV: The first full televised performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet aired on CBS on December 20, introducing the holiday classic to millions of viewers.
1987 – “The Simpsons” Debuts as a Short: The animated family “The Simpsons” first appeared as a series of shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show” on this day, paving the way for the longest-running animated series in television history.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1892 – Pneumatic Tire Patented: On this day, Alexander Brown and George Stillman received a patent for the first inflatable pneumatic tire, an invention that revolutionized transportation but probably caused a few unexpected “pop” moments during early testing.
1982 – Largest Gingerbread House Record Set: A quirky record was set on December 20 when a massive gingerbread house, complete with edible walls and candy decorations, was constructed in Minnesota, delighting holiday enthusiasts with its sheer sugary scale.
2007 – Santa Claus Gets a Speeding Ticket: In a bizarre holiday twist, a man dressed as Santa Claus was ticketed for speeding in Germany on this day, proving that even St. Nick isn’t above traffic laws while rushing to deliver presents.
Today in History for Kids
1860 – A State Says Goodbye: A long time ago, on December 20, South Carolina decided to leave the United States, kind of like quitting a club.
This made a lot of people upset and was one of the reasons a big fight called the Civil War started later.
1946 – A Special Movie is Born: A movie called “It’s a Wonderful Life” showed for the first time on this day.
It’s about a man who learns how important he is to everyone, and now kids and grown-ups watch it every Christmas.
1951 – Power from a Tiny Atom: Scientists in Idaho did something amazing on December 20 by making electricity from a tiny thing called an atom.
It was the first time anyone did this, and it helped us learn how to power homes in a new way.
1987 – A Funny Family on TV: A cartoon family called “The Simpsons” first appeared on TV on this day.
They’re funny, a little silly, and have been making kids laugh for a very long time with their adventures.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Longest Filibuster Began: On December 20, 1982, U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond began a filibuster that lasted over 24 hours, one of the longest in Senate history, as he spoke against a voting rights bill.
Did You Know? – A Royal Christmas Broadcast: On this day in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II made history by delivering the first televised Christmas broadcast from Sandringham House, bringing the British monarchy into living rooms across the Commonwealth.
Did You Know? – A Penguin’s Big Day: On December 20, 1939, the first penguin chicks hatched at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, marking a charming milestone in zoo history and delighting visitors with their adorable waddles.
Did You Know? – A Historic Flight Plan: On this day in 1904, the Wright Brothers finalized plans for further test flights after their groundbreaking success the previous year, continuing to push the boundaries of aviation.
Did You Know? – A Sweet World Record: On December 20, 2010, a team in Sweden created the world’s largest candy cane, measuring over 51 feet long, proving that holiday spirit can come in supersized sugary forms.