On this day: December 20
POSTED: 10:21 PM PST Dec 19, 2012
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Dec 19, 2012
The Louisiana Purchase is completed, South Carolina secedes from the U.S., Edison demonstrates his incandescent light, Elvis gets drafted, and the U.S. invades Panama, all on this day.
Paramount Pictures
1946: The Frank Capra film "It's A Wonderful Life," starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, has a preview showing for charity at New York City's Globe Theatre, a day before its official world premiere. The film was nominated for five Oscars and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.
