December 20

Saturday 20, 1952:

United States Air Force C-124 crashes and burns in Moses Lake, Washington killing 87

Thursday 20, 1917:

Cheka, first Soviet secret police, founded

Thursday 20, 1860:

South Carolina becomes first state to secede from the United States

Tuesday 20, 1803:

Louisiana Purchase completed

Wednesday 20, 1522:

Suleiman the Magnificent accepts the surrender of the surviving Knights of Rhodes, who are allowed to evacuate. They eventually re-settle on Malta and become known as the Knights of Malta.

More on December, 20

• December, 20 in History
• People Born on December, 20
• They left us on December, 20