The United States Senate ratified a treaty that included the Louisiana Territories from France for $15 million on this day in 1803. The transfer was completed with formal ceremonies in New Orleans.
Hoisting of American Colors over Louisiana. Painting depicting first raising of the USA flag with the Louisiana Purchase, in main plaza (now Jackson Square), New Orleans.
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the American Union on this day in 1860.
Members of the South Carolina Secession Convention unanimously vote to secede from the American Union..
On this day in 1989, General Noriega, Panama’s former dictator, was overthrown by a United States invasion force invited by the new civilian government. The project was known as Operation Just Cause.
US soldiers secure a position outside the embassy in Panama City.
On this day in 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples of the opposite sex.
The Frank Capra film "It’s A Wonderful Life" had a preview showing for charity at New York City’s Globe Theatre on this day in 1946, a day before its "official" world premiere. James Stewart and Donna Reed star in the film.