Updated December 19, 2011, 1:28 pm
On Dec. 20, 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of General Manuel Noriega.
On Dec. 20, 1881, Branch Rickey, the American baseball executive famous for creating the farm team system and hiring the first black players, was born. Following his death on Dec. 9, 1965, his obituary appeared in The Times.
Go to obituary » | Other birthdays »
On This Date
By The Associated Press
1790 The first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I. 1803 The Louisiana Purchase was completed as the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States during ceremonies in New Orleans. 1864 Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Ga., as Union Gen. William T. Sherman continued his “March to the Sea.” 1879 Thomas Edison privately demonstrated his incandescent light at Menlo Park, N.J. 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. 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. 1976 Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley died at age 74. 1989 The United States sent troops into Panama to topple the government of Manuel Noriega. 1999 The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples are entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples. 2002 Trent Lott resigned as Senate Republican leader two weeks after igniting a political firestorm with racially charged remarks. 2005 New York City transit workers began a three-day strike. Current Birthdays
By The Associated Press
New York Mets third baseman David Wright turns 29 years old today.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Actor Jonah Hill turns 28 years old today.
AP Photo/Evan Agostini
1932 John Hillerman, Actor (“Magnum P.I.”), turns 79 1933 Jean Carnahan, Former U.S. senator, D-Mo., turns 78 1945 Peter Criss, Rock musician (Kiss), turns 66 1946 Uri Geller, Illusionist, turns 65 1946 Sonny Perdue, Former governor of Georgia, turns 65 1946 Dick Wolf, TV producer (“Law and Order” shows), turns 65 1948 Alan Parsons, Rock musician, turns 63 1957 Billy Bragg, Rock singer, turns 54 1966 Chris Robinson, Rock singer (The Black Crowes), turns 45 1981 Roy Williams, Football player, turns 30 1982 David Cook, Singer (“American Idol”), turns 29 1990 JoJo, Singer, turns 21 Historic Birthdays
Branch Rickey 12/20/1881 – 12/9/1965 American baseball executive. Go to obituary »
43 Dan Leno 12/20/1860 – 10/31/1904
English entertainer69 Harvey Firestone 12/20/1868 – 2/7/1938
American industrialist87 Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman 12/20/1886 – 12/5/1974
American tennis champion83 Sir Robert Menzies 12/20/1894 – 5/16/1978
Australian prime minister (1939-41, 1949-66)91 Irene Dunne 12/20/1898 – 9/4/1990
American actress65 Robert Van de Graaff 12/20/1901 – 1/16/1967
American physicist and inventor89 Max Lerner 12/20/1902 – 6/5/1992
American educator and columnist86 Sidney Hook 12/20/1902 – 7/12/1989
American social philosopher69 Jean Marchand 12/20/1918 – 8/28/1988
Canadian politician
