TODAY IN HISTORY - NOVEMBER 30TH

1803 – In New Orleans, Spanish representatives officially transfer the Louisiana Territory to a French representative. Just 20 days later, France transfers the same land to the United States as the Louisiana Purchase.

1804 – The Democratic-Republican-controlled United States Senate begins an impeachment trial of Federalist Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase.

1864 – American Civil War: Battle of Franklin: The Confederate Army of Tennessee led by General John Bell Hood mounts a dramatically unsuccessful frontal assault on Union positions commanded by John McAllister Schofield around Franklin, Tennessee, with Hood losing six generals and almost a third of his troops.

1874 – Winston Churchill, English colonel, journalist, and politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1965) is born.

1900 – Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright, novelist, and poet (b. 1854) dies.

1929 – Joan Ganz Cooney, American screenwriter and producer, co-created Sesame Street is born.

1929 – Dick Clark, American television host and producer, founded Dick Clark Productions (d. 2012) is born.

1936 – Abbie Hoffman, American activist and author, co-founded the Youth International Party (d. 1989) is born.

1954 – In Sylacauga, Alabama, United States, the Hodges meteorite crashes through a roof and hits a woman taking an afternoon nap; this is the only documented case in the Western Hemisphere of a human being hit by a rock from space.

1982 – Michael Jackson's second solo album, Thriller is released worldwide. It will become the best-selling record album in history.

1985 – Kaley Cuoco, American actress is born.

1995 – Official end of Operation Desert Storm.

1995 – U.S. President Bill Clinton visits Northern Ireland and speaks in favour of the "Northern Ireland peace process" to a huge rally at Belfast City Hall; he calls terrorists "yesterday's men".

1998 – Exxon and Mobil sign a US$73.7 billion agreement to merge, thus creating ExxonMobil, the world's largest company.

1999 – In Seattle, United States, demonstrations against a World Trade Organization meeting by anti-globalization protesters catch police unprepared and force the cancellation of opening ceremonies.

2013 – Paul Walker, American actor and producer (b. 1973) dies.

2013 – Paul Crouch, American broadcaster, co-founded Trinity Broadcasting Network (b. 1934) dies.