历史上的今天-Today in History 2010-12-20

 December 20th, 1803Ceremonies in New Orleans formally mark the completion of the Louisiana Purchase. The United States doubles in size as it gains ownership of the western half of Mississippi River basin which is bought from France.

1860 South Carolina becomes the first state to secede¹ from the Union, something other southern states to follow suit. The following year, the first shots of Civil War are fired in South Carolina at the battle of Fort Sumter.

1989The United States launches Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of General Manuel Noriega.

1999The Vermont Supreme² Court rules that homosexual couples are entitled to the same benefits and protections as married heterosexual couples.

1946Help me ,Clarence. Get me back. Get me back. I don't care what happens to me. In New York, the preview charity is screaming of “It’s A Wonderful Life”, a day before its official world premiere. The Frank Capra film starring James Stewart and Donna Reed is now considered a holiday classic.

Today in History, December 20th, Sandy Kozel, the Associated Press.

1 secede   

v.退出，脱离

参考例句：

• They plotted to make the whole Mississippi Valley secede from the United States.他们阴谋策划使整个密西西比流域脱离美国。
• We won't allow Tibet to secede from China and become an independent nation.我们决不允许西藏脱离中国独立。

2 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。