20 December

December 20 is the 354th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 11 days remain until the end of the year.

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

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

Table of Contents

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

Global Celebrations

• Games Day
• Go Caroling Day
• National Sangria Day
• International Human Solidarity Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – December 20

2007: Queen Elizabeth becomes the longest-living British monarch

The previous longest living monarch – Queen Victoria – died on Jan 22, 1901, when she was 81 years, 7 months, and 29 days old. Queen Elizabeth, who was born on 21 April 1926, turned 81 years, 7 months and 30 days on this day.

1999: Portuguese transfer sovereignty of Macau to China

Portugal ruled over the special administrative region of China from the mid-16th century to 1999. Macau has a high degree of independence from China, and has control over its legal system, monetary system, and immigration policy.

1989: United States’ invasion of Panama begins

Also known as Operation Just Cause, the invasion took place under the leadership of President George H. W. Bush and led to the deposing of the dictator, Manuel Noriega. The invasion ended on January 31, 1990.

1973: Spanish Prime Minister Carrero Blanco assassinated

A confidant of dictator Francisco Franco, Blanco was assassinated by the Basque nationalist and separatist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna or ETA.

1803: Louisiana Purchase completed

The United States was officially handed over the territory of Louisiana by the French. The French had regained control of the territory that spans over 15 present-day states and 2 Canadian territories in 1800. In 1762, Spain had taken over the territory.

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, December 20

1976: Aubrey Huff, American baseball player

1966: Matt Neal, English race car driver

1946: Uri Geller, Israeli psychic

1905: Bill O’Reilly, Australian cricketer

1868: Harvey Samuel Firestone, American businessman, founded the Firestone Tire, Rubber Company

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, December 20

1996: Carl Sagan, American astronomer, author

1976: Richard J. Daley, American politician, 48th Mayor of Chicago

1968: John Steinbeck, American author, Nobel Prize laureate

1812: Sacagawea, American member of the Lewis, Clark Expedition

1722: Kangxi Emperor, of China