What Happened on January 20?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON JANUARY 20

Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 20, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Pangkor Treaty of 1874

Year: 1874

The Treaty of Pangkor is signed between the British and Sultan Abdullah of Perak, paving the way for further British colonization of Malaya.

Hong Kong Island

Year: 1841

Hong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War.

Battle of Yungay

Year: 1839

In the Battle of Yungay, Chile defeats an alliance between Peru and Bolivia.

First Fleet

Year: 1788

The third and main part of First Fleet arrives at Botany Bay, beginning the British colonization of Australia. Arthur Phillip decides that Port Jackson is a more suitable location for a colony.

Constantinople Conference

Year: 1877

The last day of the Constantinople Conference results in agreement for political reforms in the Balkans.

United States Senate

Year: 1887

The United States Senate allows the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Year: 1937

Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner are sworn in for their second terms as U.S. President and U.S. Vice President; it is the first time a Presidential Inauguration takes place on January 20 since the 20th Amendment changed the dates of presidential terms.

HMS K5

Year: 1921

The British K-class submarine HMS K5 sinks in the English Channel; all 56 on board die.

BIRTHS ON JANUARY 20

Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 20, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Ernesto Cardenal

Year of birth: 1925

Ernesto Cardenal, Nicaraguan priest, poet, and politician (died 2020)

David Tudor

Year of birth: 1926

David Tudor, American pianist and composer (died 1996)

Yvonne Loriod

Year of birth: 1924

Yvonne Loriod, French pianist and composer (died 2010)

Slim Whitman

Year of birth: 1923

Slim Whitman, American country and western singer-songwriter and musician (died 2013)

Ray Anthony

Year of birth: 1922

Ray Anthony, American trumpeter and bandleader

Patricia Neal

Year of birth: 1926

Patricia Neal, American actress (died 2010)

Qurratulain Hyder

Year of birth: 1927

Qurratulain Hyder, Indian-Pakistani journalist and academic (died 2007)

David Lee (physicist)

Year of birth: 1931

David Lee, American physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

DEATHS ON JANUARY 20

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 20, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

John Ruskin

Year of death: 1900

John Ruskin, English painter and critic (born 1819)

Kalākaua

Year of death: 1891

Kalākaua, king of Hawaii (born 1836)

Zénobe Gramme

Year of death: 1901

Zénobe Gramme, Belgian engineer, invented the Gramme machine (born 1826)

Agnes Mary Clerke

Year of death: 1907

Agnes Mary Clerke, Irish astronomer and author (born 1842)

John Ordronaux (doctor)

Year of death: 1908

John Ordronaux, American surgeon and academic (born 1830)

Jean-François Millet

Year of death: 1875

Jean-François Millet, French painter and educator (born 1814)

Basil Moreau

Year of death: 1873

Basil Moreau, French priest, founded the Congregation of Holy Cross (born 1799)

Christian VIII

Year of death: 1848

Christian VIII, Danish king (born 1786)

HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 20

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 20 around the world.

Richard Rolle

Christian feast day: Richard Rolle (Church of England)

Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando

Christian feast day: Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando

Saint Sebastian

Christian feast day: Sebastian

Public holidays in Azerbaijan

Martyrs' Day (Azerbaijan)

January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

United States presidential inauguration

Presidential inaugurations (United States)

Pope Fabian

Christian feast day: Fabian

Synaxaire Arabe-Jacobite

Christian feast day: Abadios

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