Historical Events
- 1862 First pasteurization test is completed by Frenchmen Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard
- 1902 Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the radioactive compound radium chloride
- 1968 British politician Enoch Powell makes his controversial "Rivers of Blood" speech
- 1974 'The Troubles', the Northern Ireland conflict between republican and loyalist paramilitaries, British security forces, and civil rights groups, claims its 1000th victim
- 1980 Climax of the Berber Spring in Algeria sees hundreds of Berber political activists arrested
- 1999 Columbine High School massacre: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold kill 13 people and injure 24 others before committing suicide at Columbine High School, Colorado
- 2010 The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explodes, killing 11 and causing the rig to sink, causing a massive oil discharge into the Gulf of Mexico and an environmental disaster
- More Historical Events
Apr 20 in Film & TV
- 1977 "Annie Hall", directed by Woody Allen and starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1978)
Apr 20 in Music
- 1896 John Philip Sousa's operetta "El Capitan" premieres on Broadway at Broadway Theatre, NYC
Apr 20 in Sport
- 2008 Danica Patrick driving for Andretti Green Racing wins the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi; first female driver in history to win an IndyCar Series race
Did You Know?
First known performance of Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth at the Globe Theatre, London, recorded by Simon Forman
On April 20, 1611
Napoleon III
Adolf Hitler
Jessica Lange
Don Mattingly
Carmen Electra
Alexander ZverevWould You Believe?
US President Jimmy Carter is attacked by a swamp rabbit which swam up to his fishing boat in Plains, Georgia
On April 20, 1979
Famous Weddings
- 1914 Poet and critic Ezra Pound (28) weds Dorothy Shakespear
- 1968 American actor Tony Curtis (42) weds (his 3rd time) American Leslie Allen; divorce in 1982
- 1968 The Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein (24) weds fellow reporter Carol Honsa
Famous Divorces
- 2006 Actor-writer Charlie Shanian (39) divorces former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Tori Spelling (32) only 15 months after their lavish $1-million wedding
More Weddings & Divorces
George Clinton
Bram Stoker
Milovan Djilas
Dorothy Height
Avicii
Tom LesterArticles, Photos and Quiz
Winchester Round Table
The Winchester Round Table bears the names of various knights of King Arthur's court around the edge such as Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristan
April 20, 1290
World's First Motor Race
It was hardly the stuff of today's adrenalin-pumping Formula 1 match ups, but on this day two men climbed aboard their machine for "the world’s first motor race”.
April 20, 1887
Jimmy Carter Attacked by a Rabbit
Jimmy Carter shoos away the infamous rabbit as he goes fishing in his hometown in Georgia
April 20, 1979
Weekly Quiz for April 20 - 26
What nationality was WWI fighter ace The Red Baron? What was Elvis Presley's 1st #1 hit record? What country is the Chernobyl nuclear power station located in?
