1860 South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union, something other southern states to follow suit. The following year, the first shots of Civil War are fired in South Carolina at the battle of Fort Sumter.

1989The United States launches Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of General Manuel Noriega.

1999The Vermont Supreme Court rules that homosexual couples are entitled to the same benefits and protections as married heterosexual couples.

1946Help me ,Clarence. Get me back. Get me back. I don't care what happens to me. In New York, the preview charity is screaming of “It’s A Wonderful Life”, a day before its official world premiere. The Frank Capra film starring James Stewart and Donna Reed is now considered a holiday classic.

Today in History, December 20th, Sandy Kozel, the Associated Press.