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.
Department of Defense
1989: The United States sends troops into Panama to overthrow the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega in a mission code-named Operation Just Cause. This is also the first combat use of purpose-designed stealth aircraft, the F-117A Nighthawk. Noriega remained at large for several days but eventually took refuge in the Vatican diplomatic mission in Panama City. He finally surrendered to the U.S. military on Jan. 3, 1990, and was immediately flown to the United States.
