What Happened on May 20?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON MAY 20

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

Battle of Bautzen (1813)

Year: 1813

Napoleon Bonaparte leads his French troops into the Battle of Bautzen in Saxony, Germany, against the combined armies of Russia and Prussia. The battle ends the next day with a French victory.

American Civil War

Year: 1861

American Civil War: The State of North Carolina secedes from the Union.

Law of 20 May 1802

Year: 1802

By the Law of 20 May 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte reinstates slavery in the French colonies, revoking its abolition in the French Revolution.

Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence

Year: 1775

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is allegedly signed in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Year: 1714

Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of his cantata for Pentecost, Erschallet, ihr Lieder, BWV 172, at the chapel of Schloss Weimar.

Battle of Cartagena de Indias

Year: 1741

The Battle of Cartagena de Indias ends in a Spanish victory and the British begin withdrawal towards Jamaica with substantial losses.

American Civil War

Year: 1861

American Civil War: The state of Kentucky proclaims its neutrality, which will last until September 3 when Confederate forces enter the state.

Abraham Lincoln

Year: 1862

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act into law, opening eighty-four million acres (340,000 km2) of public land to settlers.

BIRTHS ON MAY 20

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

Edith Fellows

Year of birth: 1923

Edith Fellows, American actress (died 2011)

David Chavchavadze

Year of birth: 1924

David Chavchavadze, English-American CIA officer and author (died 2014)

Sam Selvon

Year of birth: 1923

Sam Selvon, Trinidad-born writer (died 1994)

Wolfgang Borchert

Year of birth: 1921

Wolfgang Borchert, German author and playwright (died 1947)

Hal Newhouser

Year of birth: 1921

Hal Newhouser, American baseball player and scout (died 1998)

Aleksey Tupolev

Year of birth: 1925

Alexei Tupolev, Russian engineer, designed the Tupolev Tu-144 (died 2001)

Franciszek Macharski

Year of birth: 1927

Franciszek Macharski, Polish cardinal (died 2016)

Sam Etcheverry

Year of birth: 1930

Sam Etcheverry, American football player and coach (died 2009)

DEATHS ON MAY 20

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

Valentine Fleming

Year of death: 1917

Valentine Fleming, Scottish soldier and politician (born 1887)

Philipp von Ferrary

Year of death: 1917

Philipp von Ferrary, Italian stamp collector (born 1850)

Bogd Khan

Year of death: 1924

Bogd Khan, Mongolian ruler (c. 1869)

Joseph Howard (Prime Minister)

Year of death: 1925

Joseph Howard, Maltese politician, 1st Prime Minister of Malta (born 1862)

Ernest Noel

Year of death: 1931

Ernest Noel, Scottish businessman and politician (born 1831)

Ernest Hogan

Year of death: 1909

Ernest Hogan, American actor and composer (born 1859)

Clara Schumann

Year of death: 1896

Clara Schumann, German pianist and composer (born 1819)

Joseph Blanco White

Year of death: 1841

Joseph Blanco White, Spanish poet and theologian (born 1775)

HOLIDAYS ON MAY 20

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

Independence Day (Timor-Leste)

Independence Restoration Day, celebrates the independence of East Timor from Indonesia in 2002.

National Day of Remembrance (Cambodia)

Day of Remembrance (Cambodia)

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker Day (NAACP)

National Day (Cameroon)

World Bee Day

Lucifer of Cagliari

Christian feast day: Lucifer of Cagliari

May 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: May 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Ivo of Chartres

Christian feast day: Ivo of Chartres

May