What Happened on May 20, 1996

• 49th Cannes Film Festival: "Secrets & Lies" directed by Mike Leigh wins the Palme d'Or
• UN and Iraq agree to Resolution 986, which provides Iraq with the opportunity to sell $1 billion of oil for 90 days for a 180-day trial period; proceeds from the sale would be used for humanitarian purposes

• Eric Davidson, comedy scriptwriter, dies at 65
• George Malcolm Thomson, British journalist, dies at 96
• Jack Wyngaard, South African dancer, dies at 37
• Janaki Ramachandran, Indian politician, Chief Minister of Indian state of Tamil Nadu (1988), dies at 72
• Jon Pertwee, English actor and entertainer (third Doctor in Doctor Who, Worzel Gummidge), dies from a heart attack at 76
• Julius Marmur, American biochemist and geneticist (DNA research), dies at 70
• Lewis B Combs, American civil engineer and US Navy officer (1917-45), founding member and commander of the "Seabees", dies at 101

Holidays: Victoria Day (Canada)

• #1 Song: Tha Crossroads - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
• #1 Song: Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit - Gina G