February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 314 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about February 20th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about February 20th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Love Your Pet Day
- National Cherry Pie Day
- National Handcuff Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – February 20
1988: The Nagorno-Karabakh War is triggered by der Autonomous Oblast’s secession from Azerbaijan
Today, Nagorno-Karabakh is a de facto independent state, but the territory is still internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
1962: The first U.S. citizen to orbit the Earth lands safely in the Atlantic Ocean
John Glenn’s 5-hour spaceflight came almost a year after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth on April 12, 1961.
1944: U.S. bombers attack German aircraft manufacturing centers, in a bombing campaign that became known as the “Big Week”
The goal was to achieve air superiority to secure the invasion of Europe.
1913: Works to build Australia’s capital city commence
Canberra is an entirely planned city and was chosen as the Australian capital as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne.
1877: Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake” is premiered
It is one of the world’s best-known ballets.
1990: Barack Obama, a graduate of Harvard Law School ’91, is photographed on campus after being named head of the Harvard Law Review in 1990.
1969: Michael Jackson in his childhood.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, February 20
1988: Rihanna, Barbadian/American singer-songwriter, actress
1967: Kurt Cobain, American singer-songwriter, guitarist
1951: Gordon Brown, Scottish politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
1927: Sidney Poitier, American actor, director
1819: Alfred Escher, Swiss businessman, politician
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, February 20
2005: Hunter S. Thompson, American journalist, author
1996: Toru Takemitsu, Japanese composer
1993: Ferruccio Lamborghini, Italian businessman, created Lamborghini
1961: Percy Grainger, Australian composer
1895: Frederick Douglass, American author, activist
