As we speak is Saturday, Dec. 20, the 354th day of 2025. There are 11 days left within the 12 months.
As we speak in historical past:
On Dec. 20, 1986, three Black males had been attacked by a bunch of white youths within the Howard Seashore neighborhood of Queens, New York, ensuing within the loss of life of one of many males, Michael Griffith.
Additionally on this date:
In 1803, the Louisiana Buy was accomplished as possession of the territory was formally transferred from France to the US.
In 1860, South Carolina turned the primary state to secede from the Union on a vote of delegates at a secession conference, emboldening different Southern states to observe go well with and serving to to set off the American Civil Warfare.
In 1946, the basic vacation movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered on the Globe Theater in New York Metropolis.
In 1987, greater than 4,300 folks had been killed when the Doña Paz (DOHN’-yuh pahz), a Philippine passenger ship, collided with the tanker Vector off Mindoro island.
In 1989, the US launched Operation Simply Trigger, sending troops into Panama to topple the federal government of Gen. Manuel Noriega.
In 1995, American Airways Flight 965 from Miami to Cali, Colombia, crashed right into a mountain close to Buga, Colombia, at night time whereas descending into the Cali space, killing all however 4 of the 163 passengers and crew aboard.
In 2019, the US Area Drive was established when President Donald Trump signed the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act for fiscal 12 months 2020.
In 2024, a automotive slammed right into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, jap Germany, killing six folks and injuring greater than 200. The suspect, who was arrested, was a health care provider initially from Saudi Arabia who had expressed anti-Muslim views and assist on social media for a far-right celebration.
As we speak’s Birthdays:
Rock drummer Peter Criss (Kiss) is 80.
Producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) is 79.
Musician Alan Parsons is 77.
Creator Sandra Cisneros is 71.
Actor Michael Badalucco is 71.
Rock singer Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes) is 59.
Filmmaker Todd Phillips is 55.
Actor Jonah Hill is 42.
Soccer participant Kylian Mbappé is 27.