1920Battle
Battle event - February 20
Historic battle event recorded on this date in 1920, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Birth event - February 20 (1920) and Rihanna born (1988), 68 years apart.
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From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout CounterHall of Fame◆
- 1948COWARD REVIVAL ARRIVES TONIGHTThe New York Times◆
- 2023The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? review – Claudia Karvan stars in bestiality comedy that loses itself in farceThe Guardian◆
- 2017NSW HSC syllabus overhaul places focus on English grammar and Asian historyThe Guardian◆
- 1824William Buckland formally announces the name Megalosaurus, the first scientifically validly named non-avian dinosaur species.Wikipedia◆
- 1988The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.Wikipedia◆
- 1943The Saturday Evening Post published the first of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms, among the most widely distributed paintings ever produced, in support of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms.Wikipedia◆
- 2009Two Tamil Tigers aircraft packed with C4 explosives en route to the national airforce headquarters are shot down by the Sri Lankan military before reaching their target, in a kamikaze style attack.Wikipedia◆
- 2005Spain becomes the first country to vote in a referendum on ratification of the proposed Constitution of the European Union, passing it by a substantial margin, but on a low turnout.Wikipedia◆
- 1988The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast votes to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.Wikipedia◆
- 1971The United States Emergency Broadcast System is accidentally activated in an erroneous national alert.Wikipedia◆
- 1962Mercury program: While aboard Friendship 7, John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, making three orbits in four hours, 55 minutes.Wikipedia◆
- 1952Emmett Ashford becomes the first African-American umpire in organized baseball by being authorized to be a substitute umpire in the Southwestern International League.Wikipedia◆
- 1943The Saturday Evening Post publishes the first of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms in support of United States President Franklin Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union address theme of Four Freedoms.Wikipedia◆
- Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout CounterHall of Fame◆
- 1948COWARD REVIVAL ARRIVES TONIGHTThe New York Times◆
- 2023The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? review – Claudia Karvan stars in bestiality comedy that loses itself in farceThe Guardian◆
- 2017NSW HSC syllabus overhaul places focus on English grammar and Asian historyThe Guardian◆
- 1824William Buckland formally announces the name Megalosaurus, the first scientifically validly named non-avian dinosaur species.Wikipedia◆
- 1988The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.Wikipedia◆
- 1943The Saturday Evening Post published the first of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms, among the most widely distributed paintings ever produced, in support of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms.Wikipedia◆
- 2009Two Tamil Tigers aircraft packed with C4 explosives en route to the national airforce headquarters are shot down by the Sri Lankan military before reaching their target, in a kamikaze style attack.Wikipedia◆
- 2005Spain becomes the first country to vote in a referendum on ratification of the proposed Constitution of the European Union, passing it by a substantial margin, but on a low turnout.Wikipedia◆
- 1988The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast votes to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.Wikipedia◆
- 1971The United States Emergency Broadcast System is accidentally activated in an erroneous national alert.Wikipedia◆
- 1962Mercury program: While aboard Friendship 7, John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, making three orbits in four hours, 55 minutes.Wikipedia◆
- 1952Emmett Ashford becomes the first African-American umpire in organized baseball by being authorized to be a substitute umpire in the Southwestern International League.Wikipedia◆
- 1943The Saturday Evening Post publishes the first of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms in support of United States President Franklin Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union address theme of Four Freedoms.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Rihanna1988- Trevor Noah1984
- Kurt Cobain1967
- Birth event - February 201920
- Ansel Adams1902
20 February in history
5 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1920Invention
Invention event - February 20
Historic invention event recorded on this date in 1920, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1920Medical
Medical event - February 20
Historic medical event recorded on this date in 1920, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1920Tragedy
Tragedy event - February 20
Historic tragedy event recorded on this date in 1920, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1962Celestial
John Glenn orbits Earth
John Glenn became first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7, circling three times.
Showing 1-5 of 5 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — February 20
1824 First everWilliam Buckland formally announces the name Megalosaurus, the first scientifically validly named non-avian dinosaur species.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1988 First everThe Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1943 First everThe Saturday Evening Post published the first of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms, among the most widely distributed paintings ever produced, in support of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
2009 Oddly trueTwo Tamil Tigers aircraft packed with C4 explosives en route to the national airforce headquarters are shot down by the Sri Lankan military before reaching their target, in a kamikaze style attack.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
2005 First everSpain becomes the first country to vote in a referendum on ratification of the proposed Constitution of the European Union, passing it by a substantial margin, but on a low turnout.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2023The GuardianThe Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? review – Claudia Karvan stars in bestiality comedy that loses itself in farceEdward Albee’s 2002 play has a deliberately ridiculous premise – but this production eschews the real issues it could…
Read on The Guardian →
2017The GuardianNSW HSC syllabus overhaul places focus on English grammar and Asian historyHistory subjects will give students opportunity to study Australia’s developing role in Asia, and option of studying…
Read on The Guardian →- 1948The New York TimesCOWARD REVIVAL ARRIVES TONIGHT
Almost a dozen years ago, "Tonight at 8:30" (originally a series of nine short offerings bearing Noel Coward's imprim…
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 headlineTwo Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout Counter
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 “William Buckland formally announces the name Megalosaurus, the first scientifically validly named non-avian dinosaur species.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
William Buckland formally announces the name Megalosaurus, the first scientifically validly named non-avian dinosaur species.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1988 First ever
The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1943 First ever
The Saturday Evening Post published the first of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms, among the most widely distributed paintings ever produced, in support of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms.
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 February — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
5
1902Birth
Ansel Adams born
Ansel Adams was born. American photographer.
1920Birth
Birth event - February 20
Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1920, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1967Birth
Birth of Kurt Cobain
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington.
1984Birth
Trevor Noah born
Trevor Noah was born. South African comedian.
1988Birth
Rihanna born
Rihanna was born. Barbadian singer.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Assassinated
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
Assassinated
44 BCDeath
Julius Caesar dies
Julius Caesar, roman general/statesman, died on this day in 44 BC. Assassinated by Roman senators. Remembered as: Critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
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
29 this weekToday · 20 February
- RihannaBarbadian singer (born 1988)Born 1988 · 38 years ago today
- Trevor NoahSouth African comedian (born 1984)Born 1984 · 42 years ago today
- Kurt CobainAmerican rock musician (1967–1994)Born 1967 · 59 years ago today
- BEBirth event - February 20Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1920, noted inBorn 1920 · 106 years ago today
- Ansel AdamsAmerican photographer and environmentalist (1902–1984)Born 1902 · 124 years ago today
Coming up this week
Elliot PageCanadian actor and producer (born 1987)21 February · born 1987
Jennifer Love HewittAmerican actress and singer (born 1979)21 February · born 1979
Alan RickmanEnglish actor (1946–2016)21 February · born 1946- BEBirth event - February 21Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1921, noted in21 February · born 1921
Drew BarrymoreAmerican actress (born 1975)22 February · born 1975
James BluntEnglish musician (born 1974)22 February · born 1974
Day of Recognition20 February
World Day of Social Justice
UN observance promoting efforts to tackle poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, and human rights.
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 February.
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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