1790
Samuel Slater built the nation's first cotton mill in Pawtucket, R.I.
1803
The United States purchased the Louisiana territory from France for $15 million.
1860
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union.
1968
Author John Steinbeck died at age 66.
1989
The United States invaded Panama and installed a new government but failed to capture General Manuel Antonio Noriega.
1996
Astronomer Carl Sagan died at age 62.
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