March 20 has witnessed a remarkable array of historical events that span centuries and continents. From groundbreaking achievements to somber tragedies, this date holds stories of human triumph and turmoil. Key moments include pioneering victories in sports, significant scientific publications, and devastating acts of violence. These events, among others, paint a vivid picture of history’s complexity, inviting further exploration into the impactful occurrences tied to this day.
History
1985 – Libby Riddles Wins Iditarod:
Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on this day.
Her historic victory in the grueling 1,150-mile race across Alaska highlighted the growing presence of women in endurance sports.
Famous Birthdays
1828 – Henrik Ibsen:
The Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, often called the “father of realism” in theater, was born on March 20 in Skien, Norway.
His plays, including “A Doll’s House” and “Hedda Gabler,” challenged societal norms and remain influential in modern drama.
1904 – B.F. Skinner:
American psychologist B.F. Skinner, a pioneer in the field of behaviorism, was born on this day in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
His research on operant conditioning and reinforcement shaped modern psychology and education.
1950 – William Hurt:
Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt was born on March 20 in Washington, D.C.
Known for his roles in films like “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Broadcast News,” Hurt became a prominent figure in Hollywood with his nuanced performances.
1957 – Spike Lee:
Filmmaker Spike Lee, known for addressing social and racial issues in films such as “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X,” was born on this day in Atlanta, Georgia.
His work has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards, including an Academy Award.
1976 – Chester Bennington:
Chester Bennington, the lead singer of the rock band Linkin Park, was born on March 20 in Phoenix, Arizona.
His powerful vocals and emotional lyrics resonated with millions of fans worldwide until his tragic passing in 2017.
Notable Deaths
1727 – Isaac Newton:
The renowned English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton passed away on March 20 in London.
His contributions to science, including the laws of motion and universal gravitation, remain foundational to modern physics.
1894 – Lajos Kossuth:
Hungarian lawyer, journalist, and revolutionary leader Lajos Kossuth died on this day in Turin, Italy.
He played a key role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and is remembered as a national hero for his advocacy of independence.
2015 – A.J. Pero:
A.J. Pero, the drummer for the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, passed away on March 20.
Known for his energetic performances and contributions to albums like “Stay Hungry,” his loss was deeply felt in the music community.
Today in Music History
1969 – John Lennon Marries Yoko Ono:
On March 20, Beatles legend John Lennon married artist Yoko Ono in a private ceremony in Gibraltar.
Their partnership became iconic, influencing both music and activism, particularly their peace campaigns.
1977 – T. Rex’s Final Concert:
British glam rock band T. Rex played their last concert on this day in Portsmouth, England, before the tragic death of frontman Marc Bolan later that year.
The band left a lasting impact on the glam rock genre.
1982 – Joan Jett Tops the Charts:
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” on March 20.
The song became an anthem for rock fans and solidified Jett’s status as a trailblazer for women in music.
Today in Sports History
1934 – First Masters Golf Tournament Announced:
On March 20, plans for the inaugural Masters Tournament were finalized, with the event set to take place later that year in Augusta, Georgia.
The tournament has since become one of golf’s most prestigious events.
1985 – Libby Riddles’ Historic Iditarod Win:
As previously mentioned, Libby Riddles made history on this day by becoming the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, showcasing incredible endurance and skill in the Alaskan wilderness.
1991 – Michael Jordan Scores 37 Points:
On March 20, Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan scored 37 points in a game against the Washington Bullets, continuing his dominance in the NBA during one of his peak performance seasons.
2012 – Peyton Manning Joins Denver Broncos:
NFL quarterback Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos on this day, marking a significant chapter in his illustrious career.
His tenure with the team would culminate in a Super Bowl victory in 2016.
Today in Military and Naval History
1815 – Napoleon Returns to Paris:
On March 20, Napoleon Bonaparte triumphantly returned to Paris after escaping exile on the island of Elba, marking the beginning of the Hundred Days campaign that would culminate in his final defeat at Waterloo.
1942 – Operation Outward Launched:
During World War II, the British initiated Operation Outward on this day, a lesser-known campaign involving the release of incendiary balloons aimed at disrupting German infrastructure.
It was a creative, if unconventional, wartime strategy.
2003 – Iraq War Begins:
On March 20, the United States-led coalition launched military operations in Iraq, marking the start of the Iraq War.
The conflict, rooted in the search for weapons of mass destruction, had profound global consequences.
Today in Tech and Science History
1916 – Einstein’s General Relativity Published:
As noted earlier, Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity was published on March 20, fundamentally changing our understanding of gravity and spacetime in the scientific community.
1965 – Ranger 9 Launched:
NASA launched Ranger 9 on this day, a spacecraft designed to capture detailed images of the Moon’s surface before crashing into it.
The mission provided vital data for future lunar landings, including the Apollo program.
2008 – First iPhone SDK Released:
Apple released the first Software Development Kit (SDK) for the iPhone on March 20, enabling developers to create third-party applications.
This move revolutionized the smartphone industry by fostering the app ecosystem.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1852 – “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” Published:
As highlighted earlier, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s seminal work “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was published on March 20, becoming a cultural touchstone in the fight against slavery in the United States.
1922 – USS Langley Commissioned:
The USS Langley, the first aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, was commissioned on this day, marking a significant moment in naval and cultural history as it symbolized technological advancement and military innovation.
1964 – First Performance of “Funny Girl”:
The Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” starring Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice, premiered on March 20 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.
The show became a cultural phenomenon and launched Streisand to stardom.
1995 – Sarin Gas Attack in Tokyo:
On March 20, the Aum Shinrikyo cult carried out a deadly sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system, killing 13 people and injuring thousands.
This tragic event shocked the world and raised awareness about the dangers of extremist groups.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1890 – First Recorded Use of “OK” in Print:
On March 20, the abbreviation “OK” appeared in print for the first time in the Boston Morning Post as part of a humorous article.
It’s believed to have originated from a playful misspelling of “all correct” as “oll korrect.”
1937 – First Supermarket Shopping Cart Introduced:
On this day, the first shopping cart was reportedly used in a supermarket in Oklahoma City, thanks to store owner Sylvan Goldman.
His invention, initially met with skepticism, soon became a retail staple.
1969 – Lennon and Ono’s Unusual Wedding Location:
As mentioned earlier, John Lennon and Yoko Ono chose the remote British territory of Gibraltar for their wedding on March 20, partly because it was one of the few places they could marry quickly without much publicity.
Today in History for Kids
1602 – A Big Company is Born:
A long time ago, on March 20, people in the Netherlands started a huge company called the Dutch East India Company.
It was like a giant store that sent ships all over the world to trade spices and other cool stuff!
1852 – A Book That Changed Minds:
On this day, a lady named Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book called “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
It told a story about why slavery was wrong, and it helped a lot of people decide to fight against it.
1985 – A Lady Wins a Big Race:
A brave woman named Libby Riddles won a super long dog sled race in Alaska called the Iditarod on March 20.
She was the first woman to win, showing everyone that girls can do anything!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1815 – Napoleon’s Short Comeback:
After being sent away to a tiny island, Napoleon Bonaparte made a daring return to power in France on March 20, starting a 100-day adventure that didn’t end well for him but made history exciting.
1890 – The Birth of “OK”:
As mentioned, the term “OK” popped up in a newspaper for the first time on this day.
It’s now one of the most used words in the world, and it all started as a joke!
1965 – Pictures of the Moon:
On March 20, a spacecraft called Ranger 9 was sent to take close-up photos of the Moon before crashing into it.
These pictures helped scientists learn more about space and plan trips to the Moon.
2003 – A Big War Starts:
On this day, a war began in Iraq led by the United States and other countries.
It was a huge event that changed many things around the world and is still talked about today.
2012 – A Football Star’s New Team:
Football fans got big news on March 20 when superstar quarterback Peyton Manning joined the Denver Broncos.
He went on to win a Super Bowl with them, proving he was still one of the best!