On December 20, 1606, Christopher Newport began his London Company expedition to Virginia when he departed England with three ships: The Susan Constant, The Godspeed and the Discovery.

After more than 4 months at sea, (and some stops along the way, which included the Canary Islands and Puerto Rico) the explorers arrived at the Chesapeake Bay, sailed up the “James” River (named in honor of King James I) and settled in an area that was named “James Fort” which became known as Jamestown.

Image: Statue of Christopher Newport at Christopher Newport University at Newport News, Virginia via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

Following months of negotiations the Louisiana Purchase was made official on December 20, 1803. The fifteen million dollars paid to France bought 828,000 square miles, just about doubling the size of the US. Shown is the ceremony marking the event in what is now Jackson Square, New Orleans.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

On today’s date, December 20, 1967, the UAC TurboTrain achieved a speed record when it traveled nearly 171 MPH along the Northeast Corridor between Trenton and New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The UAC TurboTrain was equipped with gas powered turbo engines, similar to that of jet planes.

Due to costs, competition, and technical issues, service of the UAC TurboTrain in the U.S. only lasted until 1976.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

A handkerchief from 1890 that says “Samuel Slater, The Father of American Manufacturers.”

100 years before this handkerchief was made, Samuel Slater started the first successful cotton mill in the United States at Pawtucket, Rhode Island on December 20, 1790.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

Some writings indicate that the death of Sacagawea occurred on December 20, 1812 when she was in her early to mid twenties.
Others say that she lived to be ninety-five.

Image: Statue of Sacagawea by Bruno Zimm exhibited at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On December 20, 1820, Missouri imposed a tax on all bachelors between the ages of twenty-one and fifty. The amount of the tax was one dollar.

Image: Pioneer life in Missouri c. 1820 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“Chamber of horrors.” Washington, D.C., Dec. 20. When members of Congress introduce bills on new drug and food legislation they often request the aid of Miss Ruth Lamb, Chief of Public Relations of the Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Administration. Of great help to the Solons in framing bills aimed to protect the public from worthless and harmful products is a display gotten together by Miss Lamb and which she calls the “Chamber of Horrors.” It is composed of “before and after” pictures, showing how women have been disfigured by the unknowing use of dangerous cosmetics, death certificates and testimonials are side by side,

12/20/1937

via LOC, no known restrictions

Automobile Tire Repair Truck outside of H. Bender Firestone Tire Dealership
4388 Olive Street in St. Louis, Missouri c. 1906

On December 20, 1868 founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Harvey S. Firestone was born in Columbiana, Ohio.

Image via Missouri History Museum, no known restrictions

A postcard from 1918 that says “Broadway, New York’s famous thoroughfare, is lined with Theatres, Hotels and Restaurants, 45th Street being the very center of the Theatrical District. The many electrical signs and brilliant lights makes this at night the most brilliantly lighted street in the world, and has earned for it the title of ‘New York The Wonder City.’”

Broadway was illuminated by electric arc lighting for the first time on December 20, 1880.

Image: The New York Public Library Digital Collections

On December 20, 1946, “It’s a Wonderful Life” directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York City.

Image of Capra and Stewart on set c. 1946 via Alamy

On December 20, 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower was promoted to General of The Army (5 stars).

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Image of Generals Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley in France shortly after D-Day in 1944

American actress Irene Dunne was born on December 20, 1898 in Louisville, Kentucky. During her career she starred in over 40 films and after retiring became a philanthropist.

Image of Dunne in 1937 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On December 20, 1969, “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul & Mary became the #1 song in America. The song was originally written and recorded by John Denver.

Image of Peter, Paul & Mary in the early 1960s via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A print depicting Sacramento, California with the Sierra Nevada in the distance on December 20, 1849.

Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions

Kim Weston, the Motown artist who sang “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)“ was born on December 20, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

President Jimmy Carter, right, first lady Rosalynn Carter, left, and Amy Carter pose in front of the Christmas tree located in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, DC on December 20, 1977.

Credit: Karl Schumacher/White House, CNP via Alamy