On this day: December 20
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.
1991: Oliver Stone's movie "JFK" opens in theaters. The movie examines the events leading to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and alleged subsequent cover-up through the eyes of former New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison, played by Kevin Costner. The movie's cast also includes Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Oldman. Although the movie was met with controversy and started out slow at the box office, it would eventually earn more than $205 million worldwide, and $70 million in the United States during its initial run. It would also earn eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Jones, but would win only two, for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing.
