August 20 is the 232nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 133 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about August 20th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about August 20th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Mosquito Day
- National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
- National Men’s Grooming Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – August 20
1993: Oslo accords negotiations conclude
The negotiations for the Oslo Accords were concluded at the Fafo Institute in Oslo. The agreement was between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The accords, that were eventually signed in Washington D.C. set up the Palestinian Authority and gave it governing powers over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
1988: The Iran-Iraq War comes to an end after 7 years
The deadly conventional war between the two Middle Eastern countries began when Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980.
1975: Viking 1 is launched by NASA using a Titan launch vehicle
It became the first space probe to successfully land on Mars.
1960: Senegal withdraws from the Mali Federation
Senegal withdrew from the Mali Federation, a year after its establishment. Léopold Senghor became the first president of Senegal a month later.
1940: Leon Trotsky is attacked in Mexico
Russian revolutionary and founder of the Red Army, Leon Trotsky was attacked in his home by an undercover agent of the Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs or N.K.V.D. He died a day later due to the injuries sustained during the attack.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, August 20
1944: Rajiv Gandhi, Indian politician, 6th Prime Minister of India
1941: Slobodan Milošević, Serbian politician, 3rd President of Serbia, Montenegro
1935: Ron Paul, American physician, author, politician
1923: Jim Reeves, American singer-songwriter
1890: H. P. Lovecraft, American writer
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, August 20
2012: Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian politician, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
1996: Rio Reiser, German singer-songwriter
1915: Paul Ehrlich, German physician, Nobel Prize laureate
1914: Pope Pius X
1643: Anne Hutchinson, English spiritual adviser