What Happened on February 20?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 20
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 20, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Year:
1872
The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Year:
1877
Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake receives its premiere at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
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Uruguayan War
Year:
1865
End of the Uruguayan War, with a peace agreement between President Tomás Villalba and rebel leader Venancio Flores, setting the scene for the destructive War of the Triple Alliance.
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American Civil War
Year:
1864
American Civil War: Battle of Olustee: The largest battle fought in Florida during the war.
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Kraków Uprising
Year:
1846
Polish insurgents lead an uprising in Kraków to incite a fight for national independence.
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20 February 1894 attacks
Year:
1894
20 February bombings by Désiré Pauwels during the Ère des attentats (1892-1894).
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Territory of Hawaii
Year:
1901
The legislature of Hawaii Territory convenes for the first time.
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United States Congress
Year:
1931
The U.S. Congress approves the construction of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge by the state of California.
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BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 20
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 20, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Adrian Cristobal
Year of birth:
1932
Adrian Cristobal, Filipino journalist and author (died 2007)
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John Milnor
Year of birth:
1931
John Milnor, American mathematician and academic
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Amanda Blake
Year of birth:
1929
Amanda Blake, American actress (died 1989)
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Jean Kennedy Smith
Year of birth:
1928
Jean Kennedy Smith, American diplomat, 25th United States Ambassador to Ireland (died 2020)
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Bobby Unser
Year of birth:
1934
Bobby Unser, American race car driver (died 2021)
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Ellen Gilchrist
Year of birth:
1935
Ellen Gilchrist, American novelist, short story writer, and poet (died 2024)
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Marj Dusay
Year of birth:
1936
Marj Dusay, American actress (died 2020)
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Larry Hovis
Year of birth:
1936
Larry Hovis, American actor and singer (died 2003)
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DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 20
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 20, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Francisco and Jacinta Marto
Year of death:
1920
Jacinta Marto, Portuguese saint (born 1910)
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Takiji Kobayashi
Year of death:
1933
Takiji Kobayashi, Japanese writer (born 1903)
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Max Schreck
Year of death:
1936
Max Schreck, German actor (born 1879)
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Viktor Gutić
Year of death:
1947
Viktor Gutić, Croatian fascist official (born 1901)
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Robert Peary
Year of death:
1920
Robert Peary, American admiral and explorer (born 1856)
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Klas Pontus Arnoldson
Year of death:
1916
Klas Pontus Arnoldson, Swedish journalist and politician, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1844)
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P. G. T. Beauregard
Year of death:
1893
P. G. T. Beauregard, American general (born 1818)
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Frederick Douglass
Year of death:
1895
Frederick Douglass, American author and activist (born c. 1818)
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HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 20
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 20 around the world.
February 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: February 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Maidan casualties
Day of Heavenly Hundred Heroes (Ukraine)
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Wulfric of Haselbury
Christian feast day: Wulfric of Haselbury
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Frederick Douglass
Christian feast day: Frederick Douglass (Episcopal Church (USA))
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Eucherius of Orléans
Christian feast day: Eucherius of Orléans
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Francisco and Jacinta Marto
Christian feast day: Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto
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Eleutherius of Tournai
Christian feast day: Eleutherius of Tournai
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World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice
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