Today in History: December 20, Howard Beach racial murder

"On Dec. 20, 1986, three Black men were attacked by a group of white youths in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens, New York, resulting in the death of one of the men, Michael Griffith. Also on this date: 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 on a vote of delegates at a secession convention, emboldening other Southern states to follow suit and helping to trigger the American Civil War. In 1946, the classic holiday film It's a Wonderful Life premiered at the Globe Theater in New York City. In 1987, more than 4,300 people were killed when the Dona Paz (DOHN'-yuh pahz), a Philippine passenger ship, collided with the tanker Vector off Mindoro island."

"In 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. In 1995, American Airlines Flight 965 from Miami to Cali, Colombia, crashed into a mountain near Buga, Colombia, at night while descending into the Cali area, killing all but four of the 163 passengers and crew aboard. In 2019, the United States Space Force was established when President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020."

December 20 has seen a range of significant events. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase transfer formalized French-to-U.S. ownership. In 1860, South Carolina voted to secede, prompting other Southern states and contributing to the Civil War. In 1946, It's a Wonderful Life premiered in New York City. In 1986, three Black men were attacked in Howard Beach, Queens, and Michael Griffith died. In 1987, the Philippine passenger ship Dona Paz collided with the tanker Vector, killing over 4,300 people. In 1989 U.S. forces invaded Panama during Operation Just Cause. In 1995 Flight 965 crashed in Colombia. In 2019 the Space Force was established. In 2024 a vehicle attack at a Magdeburg Christmas market killed six and injured over 200.

Read at www.mercurynews.com