What Happened on December 20?
December 20 is National Games Day — break out the boards and consoles — on the same date the U.S. took Louisiana in 1803, Jamestown's ships sailed in 1606, and It's a Wonderful Life premiered in 1946.
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1606 — Three Virginia Company ships sail from England toward Jamestown
On December 20, 1606, the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery left London carrying colonists who would found Jamestown. Read the full story →
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1803 — The United States takes formal possession of the Louisiana Purchase
On December 20, 1803, in New Orleans, France formally transferred the Louisiana Territory to the United States — doubling the young nation's size. Read the full story →
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1860 — South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union
On December 20, 1860, South Carolina voted to leave the United States — the first break that led toward the Civil War. Read the full story →
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1946 — It's a Wonderful Life premieres in New York City
On December 20, 1946, Frank Capra's film It's a Wonderful Life opened — later becoming a beloved Christmas classic about friendship and hope. Read the full story →
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1951 — EBR-I generates the first electricity from nuclear power
On December 20, 1951, Experimental Breeder Reactor-I in Idaho lit four light bulbs with electricity made from nuclear energy — a world first. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Harvey Firestone (1868–1938) · Branch Rickey (1881–1965) · Jonah Hill (1983) · David Letterman (1947)
Days & observances
National Games Day · Go Caroling Day · National Sangria Day · International Human Solidarity Day