Today in History

Today is Saturday, Dec. 20, in the year Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union as all 169 delegates to a special convention in Charleston voted in favor of separation On this date: In 1945, the Office of Price Administration announced the end of tire rationing, effective Jan 1, 1946

In 1963, the Berlin Wall was opened for the first time to West Berliners, who were allowed one-day visits to relatives in the Eastern sector for the holidays

In 1973, singer-songwriter Bobby Darin died in Los Angeles following openheart surgery; he was 37

In 1987, more than 4,300 people were killed when the Dona Paz, 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 1994, former U S Secretary of State Dean Rusk, 85, died in Athens, Georgia

In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded couples of the opposite sex Country music legend Hank Snow died in Nashville at age 85

Today’s Birthdays: Former South Korean President Kim Young-sam is 87 Actor John Hillerman is 82 Original Mouseketeer Tommy Cole (TV: “The Mickey Mouse Club”) is 73 Rock musician-music producer Bobby Colomby is 70 Rock musician Peter Criss is 69 Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 68 Producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) is 68 Rock musician Alan Parsons is 66 Actress Jenny Agutter is 62 Actor Michael Badalucco is 60 Actress Blanche Baker is 58 Rock singer Billy Bragg is 57

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