1. On December 22, 1732, English lawyer and politician James Edward Oglethorpe founded the city of Savannah, Georgia. It was the first planned city in the British colonies and would become an important port for trade in the Southeast.

2. In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the United States on December 22. This decision led to the Civil War and a long period of reconstruction for the state and the country as a whole.

3. In 1820, the town of Beaufort, South Carolina was incorporated on December 22. Located on Port Royal Island, Beaufort is known for its historic downtown area and its many antebellum homes.

4. On December 22, 1848, a convention was held in Charleston to discuss the secession of South Carolina from the United States. While secession did not happen for another twelve years, this meeting reflected the growing tension between the states and the federal government.

5. In 1942, the United States Army Air Corps established the Columbia Army Air Base on December 22. It was used for training during World War II and later became the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Today, the airport serves the greater Columbia area and is one of the busiest airports in South Carolina.