June 20 is the 171st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 194 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about June 20th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about June 20th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Refugee Day
- International Asteroid Day
- National Vanilla Milkshake Day
- National American Eagle Day
- National Ice Cream Soda Day
- National Kouign Amann Day
- World Productivity Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – June 20
2008: Thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok, Thailand to protest the government in 2008.
1991: The German parliament moves to Berlin
Bonn had been the capital of West Germany until the country’s reunification in 1990. The “Hauptstadtbeschluss” (capital decision) stipulated that the seat of government and the parliament also be moved to the “new” capital Berlin.
1975: The film Jaws is premiered
Steven Spielberg’s thriller about a rogue great white shark terrorizing a summer resort town is often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
1963: The “Red Telephone” is instituted
The hotline between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was established following Cuban Missile Crisis. Contrary to popular belief, communications between the two superpowers occurred via teletype or fax, and today, via email.
1942: Kazimierz Piechowski and three others escape from Auschwitz concentration camp
In a feat of “exceptional courage and gallantry”, as stated by the Polish author Kazimierz Smoleń, the four prisoners left via the front gate in a stolen SS staff car, dressed as SS officers. During World War II, the Nazi regime murdered 1.1 million people in Auschwitz. Only 144 are known to have escaped.
1837: Victoria becomes Queen of the United Kingdom
During the 64 years of her regency, the United Kingdom became one of the world’s most potent powers. The British Empire soon encompassed large parts of the planet. Queen Victoria died in 1901.
1967: Boxer Muhammad Ali refused induction into the US Army 1967.
1963: A hotline was established between the US and Soviet Union in 1963.
1942: Soldiers of the Free French Foreign Legion who distinguished themselves at the Battle of Bir Hakeim, Libya in 1942. They were from Senegal, Equatorial Africa and Madagascar respectively.

1937: [Colorized] “Hindenburg Disaster, 1937” to 4k with AI Machine Learning

1909: Columbia University, New York City.

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, June 20
1978: Frank Lampard, English footballer
1942: Brian Wilson, American singer-songwriter, musician, producer
1905: Lillian Hellman, American playwright
1887: Kurt Schwitters, German painter, writer
1819: Jacques Offenbach, German/French composer
Nicole Kidman was born
John Goodman was born
Lionel Richie was born
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, June 20
1999: Clifton Fadiman, American game show host, author
1966: Georges Lemaître, Belgian priest, astronomer, cosmologist
1947: Bugsy Siegel, American gangster
1837: William IV of the United Kingdom
1820: Manuel Belgrano, Argentinian economist, lawyer, politician
William IV of the United Kingdom died
Prodigy(rapper) died
Salim Ali died