Important Events From This day in History – 20th December

Today in History

• 2007 Queen Elizabeth becomes the longest-living British monarch

  Queen Victoria, the previous longest-reigning monarch, died on January 22, 1901, at 81 years, seven months, and 29 days. Queen Elizabeth, born on April 21, 1926, turned 81 years, seven months, and 30 days old on this day.

• 1999 Portuguese transferred sovereignty of Macau to China

  Portugal ruled over the special administrative region of China from the mid-16th century to 1999. The term “responsibility” refers to determining whether a person is responsible for his or her own actions.

• 1989 United States’ invasion of Panama begins

  The invasion, also known as Operation Just Cause, was led by President George H. W. Bush and resulted in the deposition of dictator Manuel Noriega. The invasion came to an end on January 31, 1990.

• 1973 Spanish Prime Minister Carrero Blanco assassinated

  A confidant of dictator Francisco Franco, Blanco was assassinated by the Basque nationalist and separatist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna or ETA.

• 1803 Louisiana Purchase completed

  The French officially handed over the territory of Louisiana to the United States. In 1800, the French reclaimed control of the territory comprising 15 modern-day states and two Canadian territories. In 1762, Spain took over the territory.