1937Law
First US presidential inauguration on Jan 20
Franklin D. Roosevelt became first US President inaugurated on 20 January after 20th Amendment.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Buzz Aldrin born (1930) and David Lynch born (1946), 16 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Red Tape Holds Up New BridgeHall of Fame◆
- 1939BOY, 8, DIES AS SLED AND AUTO COLLIDEThe New York Times◆
- 2017Inauguration protests: more than 200 demonstrators arrested in WashingtonThe Guardian◆
- 2014Syria's horror show continues – and we must not look awayThe Guardian◆
- 1401The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.Wikipedia◆
- 1843Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná, became the de facto first prime minister of the Empire of Brazil.Wikipedia◆
- 1726J. S. Bach led the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen on the second Sunday after the Epiphany.Wikipedia◆
- 1877The last day of the Constantinople Conference results in agreement for political reforms in the Balkans.Wikipedia◆
- 1841Hong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War.Wikipedia◆
- 1788The 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1726J. S. Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen (My sighs, my tears), BWV 13, for the second Sunday after Epiphany.Wikipedia◆
- 1265The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the "Houses of Parliament".Wikipedia◆
- 250Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution.Wikipedia◆
- 2009In Washington, D.C., Barack Obama was inaugurated as the first African-American president of the United States.Wikipedia◆
- Red Tape Holds Up New BridgeHall of Fame◆
- 1939BOY, 8, DIES AS SLED AND AUTO COLLIDEThe New York Times◆
- 2017Inauguration protests: more than 200 demonstrators arrested in WashingtonThe Guardian◆
- 2014Syria's horror show continues – and we must not look awayThe Guardian◆
- 1401The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.Wikipedia◆
- 1843Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná, became the de facto first prime minister of the Empire of Brazil.Wikipedia◆
- 1726J. S. Bach led the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen on the second Sunday after the Epiphany.Wikipedia◆
- 1877The last day of the Constantinople Conference results in agreement for political reforms in the Balkans.Wikipedia◆
- 1841Hong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War.Wikipedia◆
- 1788The 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1726J. S. Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen (My sighs, my tears), BWV 13, for the second Sunday after Epiphany.Wikipedia◆
- 1265The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the "Houses of Parliament".Wikipedia◆
- 250Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution.Wikipedia◆
- 2009In Washington, D.C., Barack Obama was inaugurated as the first African-American president of the United States.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Rainn Wilson1966- David Lynch1946
- Buzz Aldrin1930
20 January in history
2 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
1983Medical
First definition of AIDS published
CDC defined Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Showing 1-2 of 2 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 20
1401 First everThe Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1843 First everHonório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná, became the de facto first prime minister of the Empire of Brazil.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1726 First everJ. S. Bach led the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen on the second Sunday after the Epiphany.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1877 Oddly trueThe last day of the Constantinople Conference results in agreement for political reforms in the Balkans.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1841 First everHong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2017The GuardianInauguration protests: more than 200 demonstrators arrested in WashingtonThousands took to the streets of Washington DC for peaceful protests, but pockets of violence saw clashes between pol…
Read on The Guardian →
2014The GuardianSyria's horror show continues – and we must not look awayTanya Plibersek: This year Unicef collected $6m in four weeks after typhoon Haiyan but has struggled to reach a…
Read on The Guardian →- 1939The New York TimesBOY, 8, DIES AS SLED AND AUTO COLLIDE
An 8-year-year-old boy was dead and three other children were in a serious condition last night after they had been f…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineRed Tape Holds Up New Bridge
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1843 First ever
Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná, became the de facto first prime minister of the Empire of Brazil.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1726 First ever
J. S. Bach led the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen on the second Sunday after the Epiphany.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 20 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1930Birth
Buzz Aldrin born
Buzz Aldrin was born. American astronaut.
1946Birth
David Lynch born
David Lynch was born. American director.
1966Birth
Rainn Wilson born
Rainn Wilson was born. American actor.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
2012Death
Whitney Houston dies
Whitney Houston, singer and actress, died on this day in 2012. Accidental drowning. Remembered as: One of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Suicide
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Famous birthdays
22 this weekToday · 20 January
- Rainn WilsonAmerican actor (born 1966)Born 1966 · 60 years ago today
- David LynchAmerican filmmaker (1946–2025)Born 1946 · 80 years ago today
- Buzz AldrinAmerican astronaut (born 1930)Born 1930 · 96 years ago today
Coming up this week
Booboo StewartAmerican actor (born 1994)21 January · born 1994
Emma BuntonBritish singer (born 1976)21 January · born 1976
Geena DavisAmerican actor (born 1956)21 January · born 1956
LogicStudy of correct reasoning22 January · born 1990
Linda BlairAmerican actress and activist (born 1959)22 January · born 1959
Francis BaconEnglish philosopher and statesman (1561–1626)22 January · born 1561
Day of Recognition20 January
Penguin Awareness Day
Raises awareness about penguin habitats, populations, and conservation efforts globally.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 20 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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