December 20: historical facts and curiosities

On December 20, 1999, Macau, Portugal's last overseas territory, was formally handed over to China. This marked the end of 442 years of Portuguese administration, making it the longest European colonial presence in Asia. Macau now operates under the "one country, two systems" principle, enjoying high autonomy in many areas, except defense and foreign affairs. Its vibrant economy is largely driven by tourism and gambling.

On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was formally completed as France transferred the vast territory to the United States. This monumental event, negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson, more than doubled the young nation's size, paving the way for westward expansion. The acquisition, for approximately 15 million dollars, added about 828,000 square miles (2.1 million km²) of land, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.