December 19, 2020 263 Today is Sunday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2020. There are 11 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 20, 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. On this date: In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States. In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union as all 169 delegates to a special convention in Charleston voted in favor of separation.