20 February

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

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

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *