Today is Saturday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2008. There are 11 days left in the year. On this date

December 20, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Today is Saturday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2008. There are 11 days left in the year. On this date in 1803, the Louisiana Purchase is completed as ownership of the territory is formally transferred from France to the United States during ceremonies in New Orleans.

In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States begins operating at Pawtucket, R.I. In 1860, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. In 1945, the Office of Price Administration announces the end of tire rationing, effective Jan. 1, 1946. In 1963, the Berlin Wall is opened for the first time to West Berliners, who are allowed one-day visits to relatives in the Eastern sector for the holidays. In 1968, author John Steinbeck dies in New York at age 66. In 1976, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley dies at age 74. In 1978, former White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman is released from prison after serving 18 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up. In 1987, more than 4,300 people are killed when the Dona Paz, a Philippine passenger ship, collides with the tanker Vector off Mindoro island. In 1989, the United States launches Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court rules that homosexual couples are entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples.

December 20, 1983: St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center may venture into the realm of satellite urgent-care clinics, making it the first hospital in the area to enter the field.

David DeVault, a 27-year-old factory worker from Chardon, claims Ohio’s $7.8 million Lotto prize, the second-highest lottery payout in U.S. history. The highest was $8.8 million in Pennsylvania.

Nearly all of Youngstown’s Park and Recreation Department facilities will be closed in 1984 unless the incoming Ungaro administration comes up with a better budget for the department than the outgoing Vukovich administration.

December 20, 1968: The state Controlling Board approves emergency requests of $670,000 for Youngstown State University and $265,000 for the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area.

Liberty Township trustees Frank Vivolo, Clyde Helman and Vincent Zarlengo file suit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to block separation of the township from Girard city. A citizens committee circulated petitions to put the separation issue on the ballot.

Lykes Bros. Corp. is apparently near to its goal of getting 2.5 million shares of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. stock in an effort to win control of the Youngstown-headquartered steel producing company.

December 20, 1958: Louis Hansen, 51, Kent’s service director, and his wife, Virginia, 48, driving to East Palestine to attend their son’s wedding rehearsal, are killed when their car was struck by a tractor trailer on icy Route 14 north of Deerfield.

Mrs. Robert Bentley Sr., 88, a community leader for a half century and a member of one of Youngstown’s outstanding families, dies at her Wick Avenue home.

Blaw-Knox Co., a big Pittsburgh equipment producer, offers to buy Aetna-Standard Engineering Co., which has plants in Ellwood City and Warren, for $16 million.

December 20, 1933: The Canteen Club passes a resolution favoring the building of a swimming pool in Mill Creek Park, preferably on a knoll, where natural drainage will not pollute it.

Dr. George W. Eddy, chairman of the consumers counsel, says prices are on their way up in the Youngstown district and unemployment on the decrease.

James Carroll, Youngstown license clerk, orders the Blue Room in Lafayette Hotel closed for lack of a beer license.