20 April

April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 255 days remain until the end of the year.

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about April 20th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about April 20th in history!

Table of Contents

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

  • Volunteer Recognition Day
  • Chinese Language Day
  • National Banana Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – April 20

2010: The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explodes

The explosion of the British Petroleum (BP) platform operated by Transocean killed 11 workers and led to the largest accidental marine oil spill in history.

1999: 15 die in the Columbine High School massacre

A further 24 victims were injured when two teenagers opened fire on students and teachers in the high school south of Denver.

1978: Soviet air defense shoots down Korean Air Lines Flight 902

The Boeing 707’s crew had miscalculated their route, taking them into Soviet airspace at the height of the Cold War. The jet made an emergency landing on a frozen lake. Two passengers were killed in the incident.

1951: A human organ is surgically replaced for the first time

Romanian surgeon Dan Gavriliu used a section of the stomach to bypass the esophagus.

1902: Pierre and Marie Curie discover the radioactive element radium

In 1903, the French couple received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering research.

1999: Taken on 4/20/1999. These were the last photo of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris who perpetrated the Colombians High School Massacre.

Taken on 4/20/1999. These were the last photo of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris who perpetrated the Colombians High School Massacre.
Taken on 4/20/1999. These were the last photo of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris who perpetrated the Colombians High School Massacre.

1945: German policemen of Post-war administration. 1945.

German policemen of Postwar administation. 1945.
German policemen of Postwar administration. 1945.

1942: French soldiers coming back from their victory at Bir Hakeim, Lybia 1942

French soldier coming back from their victory at Bir Hakeim, Lybia 1942
French soldiers coming back from their victory at Bir Hakeim, Lybia 1942

1902: Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the radioactive compound radium chloride in 1902.

1862: First pasteurization test was completed by Frenchmen Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard in 1862.

1611: First known performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth at the Globe Theatre, London, recorded by Simon Forman in 1611.

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, April 20

1969: Felix Baumgartner, Austrian skydiver

1939: Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norwegian physician, politician, 22nd Prime Minister of Norway

1893: Joan Miró, Spanish painter

1889: Adolf Hitler, Austrian/German politician, Chancellor of Germany

1808: Napoleon III, French politician, 1st President of France

Adolf Hitler was born.

Napoleon III was born.

Sheemar Moore was born.

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, April 20

1993: Cantinflas, Mexican actor, screenwriter, producer

1991: Don Siegel, American film director

1991: Steve Marriott, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actor

1918: Karl Ferdinand Braun, German/American physicist, Nobel Prize laureate

1521: Zhengde Emperor, of China

Avicii died.

Rubin Carter died.

Bram stroker died.

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