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Explore the historical events that shaped our world on December 20th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The Second Punic War begins with the Carthaginian victory at the Battle of the Trebia in December 218 BCE. The battle was the first major engagement of the war, which was triggered by Hannibal's attack on the Roman-allied city of Saguntum in Spain. The battle was a crushing defeat for the Romans and a decisive victory for Hannibal, who led his forces across the Alps to invade Italy.
The Second Triumvirate in Rome, comprising Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus is established, split ing the Roman world into three sets of provinces and giving each one of the rulers practically absolute power.
The Roman Emperor Vespasian captures the city of Jerusalem, effectively ending the First Jewish-Roman War.
Roman Emperor Nero is born, eventually becoming known for his tyrannical rule and the Great Fire of Rome.
Saint Columba, an Irish missionary, dies, leaving a lasting legacy in spreading Christianity in Scotland.
The Muslim scholar and polymath Al-Khwarizmi is born, known for his contributions to algebra and mathematics.
Richard the Lionheart is captured in Austria while returning from the Third Crusade.
Pope Benedict XII, born Jacques Fournier, was elected Pope on December 20, 1334. He was the third Avignon Pope and was consecrated on January 8, 1335,
The United States officially takes possession of the Louisiana Territory from France in the Louisiana Purchase.
Napoleon and Joséphine were crowned Emperor and Empress of the French at Notre-Dame in Paris. More
The New York City Board of Estimate votes to build the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.
The United States invades Panama under orders from President residency of George H. W. Bush. The primary purpose of the invasion was to depose the de facto ruler of Panama, General Manuel Noriega who had longstanding ties to United States intelligence agencies but the relations had deteriorated. Noriega was wanted by U.S. authorities for racketeering and drug trafficking. Noriega was captured, brought to the U.S. tried and convicted. He was eventually returned to Panama where he died in 2017.The United Nations General Assembly and the Organization of American States both condemned the invasion as a violation of international law. More
The NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) is deployed to Bosnia to insure compliance to the Dayton Agreement as NATO assumes peacekeeping duties. More
Macau is handed back to China by Portugal, marking the end of Portuguese colonial rule.
