What Happened on December 20?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 20
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 20, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
It's a Wonderful Life
Year:
1946
It's a Wonderful Life premieres at the Globe Theatre in New York to mixed reviews.
Like
1946 Nankai earthquake
Year:
1946
An earthquake in Nankaidō, Japan causes a tsunami which kills at least one thousand people and destroys 36,000 homes.
Like
Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Year:
1942
World War II: Japanese air forces bomb Calcutta, India.
Like
World War II
Year:
1941
World War II: First battle of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the "Flying Tigers", in Kunming, China.
Like
Indonesian National Revolution
Year:
1948
Indonesian National Revolution: The Dutch military captures Yogyakarta, the temporary capital of the newly formed Republic of Indonesia.
Like
Experimental Breeder Reactor I
Year:
1951
The EBR-1 in Arco, Idaho becomes the first nuclear power plant to generate electricity. The electricity powered four light bulbs.
Like
Boeing 707
Year:
1957
The initial production version of the Boeing 707 makes its first flight.
Like
Cardiff
Year:
1955
Cardiff is proclaimed the capital city of Wales, United Kingdom.
Like
BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 20
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 20, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
George Roy Hill
Year of birth:
1921
George Roy Hill, American director, producer, and screenwriter (died 2002)
Like
Väinö Linna
Year of birth:
1920
Väinö Linna, Finnish author (died 1992)
Like
Jean Marchand
Year of birth:
1918
Jean Marchand, Canadian trade union leader and politician, 43rd Secretary of State for Canada (died 1988)
Like
David Bohm
Year of birth:
1917
David Bohm, American-English physicist, neuropsychologist, and philosopher (died 1992)
Like
Beverly Pepper
Year of birth:
1922
Beverly Pepper, American sculptor and painter (died 2020)
Like
Judy LaMarsh
Year of birth:
1924
Judy LaMarsh, Canadian soldier, lawyer, and politician, 42nd Secretary of State for Canada (died 1980)
Like
Otto Graf Lambsdorff
Year of birth:
1926
Otto Graf Lambsdorff, German lawyer and politician, German Federal Minister of Economics (died 2009)
Like
Benito Lorenzi
Year of birth:
1925
Benito Lorenzi, Italian footballer (died 2007)
Like
DEATHS ON DECEMBER 20
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 20, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Martin O'Meara
Year of death:
1935
Martin O'Meara, Irish-Australian sergeant, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1882)
Like
Erich Ludendorff
Year of death:
1937
Erich Ludendorff, German general (born 1865)
Like
Annie Armstrong
Year of death:
1938
Annie Armstrong, American missionary (born 1850)
Like
Hans Langsdorff
Year of death:
1939
Hans Langsdorff, German captain (born 1894)
Like
Émile Loubet
Year of death:
1929
Émile Loubet, French lawyer and politician, 8th President of France (born 1838)
Like
João Ferreira Sardo
Year of death:
1925
João Ferreira Sardo, the founder of Gafanha da Nazaré, also known as Prior Sardo (born 1873).
Like
Lucien Petit-Breton
Year of death:
1917
Lucien Petit-Breton, French-Argentinian cyclist (born 1882)
Like
Philip Fysh
Year of death:
1919
Philip Fysh, English-Australian politician, 12th Premier of Tasmania (born 1835)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 20
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 20 around the world.
December 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
Yalda Night
Earliest date for Winter solstice's eve (Northern Hemisphere), and its related observances: Yaldā (Iran)
Like
International Human Solidarity Day
International Human Solidarity Day (International)
Like
Public holidays in Macau
Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (Macau)
Like
Katharina von Bora
Christian feast day: Katharina von Bora (Lutheran)
Like
Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne
Christian feast day: Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne
Like
Dominic of Silos
Christian feast day: Dominic of Silos
Like
O Antiphons
Christian feast day: O Clavis
Like