1606 – The Virginia Company loads three ships with settlers and sets sail to establish Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.
1803 – The United States formally took over territory acquired from France in the Louisiana Purchase.
1860 – South Carolina becomes the first state to attempt to secede from the United States.
1946 – The film It’s a Wonderful Life is first released in New York City.
1971 – Doctors without Borders is founded in Paris, France.
1989 – The United States invaded Panama to oust Manuel Noriega and install the duly elected civilian government.
