Today we celebrate all about the popular ugly sweater that hit the market, its National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. This day is observed annually on December 20th
It is sweater time and we have heard the talk of the town “ugly sweaters”. Do you own one? During the winter season, everyone starts wearing their favorite sweaters. But this day we are going to talk about the made famous “ugly sweater.” Ever since it was featured at Shark Tank, the ugly sweater became a hit, the uglier, the better.
The more gaudy, and garish, glued together, hand-made design, covered with different types of Christmas ornaments or characters, you are in. The popular sweaters are worn everywhere, from school to work, everybody wears them.
The creator of the day has called it a fun day just to be yourself which takes place on the 3rd Friday of December each year, adding extra fun in time for the holidays. Since 2011, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day has grown to be an international event. In 2014, they partnered with Save the Children in their “Make the World Better with a Sweater” campaign.
So, today, celebrate this day by wearing your favorite and ugliest sweater you ever owned or make one from scratch to wear to school or work. Share on social media your ugliest sweater using #UglySweaterDay.
1989 The U.S. invades Panama
The United States invades Panama in an attempt to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted in the United States on drug trafficking charges and was accused of suppressing democracy in Panama and endangering U.S. nationals. Noriega’s Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF) were promptly crushed, forcing the dictator to seek asylum with the Vatican a nuncio in Panama City, where he surrendered on January 3, 1990.
In 1970, Noriega, a rising figure in the Panamanian military, was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to assist in the U.S. struggle against the spread of communism in Central America. Noriega became involved in drug trafficking and in 1977 was removed from the CIA payroll. After the Marxist Sandinista government came to power in 1979, Noriega was brought back into the CIA fold. In 1983, he becomes military dictator of Panama.
Noriega supported U.S. initiatives in Central America and in turn was praised by the White House, even though a Senate committee concluded in 1983 that Panama was a major center for drug trafficking. In 1984, Noriega committed fraud in Panama’s presidential election in favor of Nicolás Ardito Barletta, who became a puppet president. Still, Noriega enjoyed the continued support of the Reagan administration, which valued his aid in its efforts to overthrow Nicaragua’s Sandinista government.
(excerpted from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-u-s-invades-panama)
