What Happened on Dec 20

Dec 20 1334

Jacques Fournier (Benedict XII) elected Pope

Pope Benedict XII (died April 24, 1342), born Jacques Fournier, was Pope from 1334 to 1342. Little is known of the origins of Jacques Fournier.... Read more

Dec 20 1790

First American Cotton Mill

On December 20, 1790, water-powered machinery for spinning and carding cotton was set in motion in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Based on the designs of... Read more

Dec 20 1803

France Turns New Orleans Over To United States

France turned New Orleans over on December 20, 1803 at The Cabildo. On March 10, 1804, a formal ceremony was conducted in St. Louis to transfer... Read more

Dec 20 1840

The United States Exploring Expedition Lands On And Surveys Wake

On December 20, 1840, the United States Exploring Expedition commanded by Commodore Charles Wilkes of the U.S. Navy, landed on and surveyed Wake.... Read more

Dec 20 1860

First State (South Carolina) Secedes from Union

On December 20, 1860, when it became clear that Lincoln would be the next president, South Carolina became the first state to declare its secession... Read more

Dec 20 1861

Battle of Dranesville

The Battle of Dranesville was a small battle during the American Civil War that took place between Confederate forces under General J.E.B. Stuart... Read more

Dec 20 1864 to Dec 21 1864

Second Battle of Saltville

Description: Union cavalry and infantry raiders led by Brig. Gen. Stephen Burbridge attempted to destroy the saltworks near Saltville. He was... Read more

Dec 20 1933

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Move to Mexico

On December 20, Frida and Diego return to Mexico. Upon their return they move into the double studio-houses in San Angel designed for them by Juan... Read more

Dec 20 1940 to Dec 22 1940

The Christmas Blitz of Liverpool

The first major air raids began towards the end of 1940 against Liverpool and Wirral, with over 300 casualties sustained to air raids by the end of... Read more

Dec 20 1943 to Dec 28 1943

Battle of Ortona

The Canadians faced elements of the renowned German 1st Parachute Division. These soldiers were battle-hardened after many years of war, and were... Read more

Dec 20 1944 to Dec 27 1944

Siege of Bastogne

The Siege of Bastogne was an engagement between American and German forces at the Belgian town of Bastogne, as part of the larger Battle of the... Read more

Dec 20 1946

"It's A Wonderful Life" Is Released

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) is an American drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra and loosely based on the short story "The Greatest... Read more

Dec 20 1948

Project Twinkle Established to Monitor Green Fireball Sightings

In December, 1948 a new and strange phenomenon began to be observed repeatedly in the southwestern United States in areas where Top Secret nuclear... Read more

Dec 20 1961

"Lover Come Back" Is Released

Lover Come Back is a 1961 romantic comedy released by Universal Pictures. The film stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson in their second film together.... Read more

Dec 20 1971

The Rolling Stones Release 'Hot Rocks 1964–1971'

Hot Rocks 1964–1971 is the first compilation album of Rolling Stones music released by former manager Allen Klein's ABKCO Records (who gained... Read more

Dec 20 1974

The Godfather Part II released

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American crime thriller directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a script co-written with Mario Puzo. The film is both... Read more

Dec 20 1987

Sinking of the MV Doña Paz

The 2,215-ton Dona Paz collided Dec. 20 with the 629-ton oil tanker Vector off Mindoro Island. Both vessels exploded in huge fireballs. Only 26... Read more

Dec 20 1989

"Born On The Fourth Of July" Is Released

Born on the Fourth of July is a 1989 film adaptation of the best selling autobiography of the same name by Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic. Tom... Read more

Dec 20 1989

"Roger & Me" Is Released

Roger & Me is a 1989 American documentary film directed by independent filmmaker/author Michael Moore. With sarcasm and irony, Moore illustrates... Read more

Dec 20 1995

American Airlines Flight 965 Crashes into Mountain

American Airlines Flight 965, a Boeing 757 registered N651AA, was a scheduled flight from Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida to Alfonso... Read more

Dec 20 1996

Beavis and Butt-head Do America released

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America is a 1996 animated feature film, based on the TV series, Beavis and Butt-Head. It was produced by Paramount... Read more

Dec 20 1996

FDA Approves Teva's Copaxone to Reduce Frequency in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Copaxone is indicated for reduction of the frequency of relapses in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), including patients... Read more

Dec 20 2000

South Park Episode 417 - "A Very Crappy Christmas"

Kyle and Ike anxiously await Mr. Hankey. When he doesn't show, Kyle calls the others for a late night emergency meeting. They find Mr. Hankey... Read more

Dec 20 2002

Gangs of New York is Released

Gangs of New York is a 2002 American historical film set in the mid-19th century in the Five Points district of New York City. It was directed by... Read more

Dec 20 2004

Miami Dolphins defeat New England Patriots, 29-28

Oops. OK, so the big game Jan. 23 will be in Pittsburgh, after all. I mean, that's all we really care about, isn't it? Of course, if the... Read more