Europa
- Foundation of the Hungarian State (St. Stephen’s Day)
August 20 is Hungary’s most significant national holiday, marking the foundation of the Hungarian state more than 1,000 years ago. The day commemorates King Stephen I, Hungary’s first Christian king, who established the Christian Hungarian kingdom in the year 1000. Celebrations include state ceremonies, the blessing of new bread, air shows, folk art festivals, and spectacular fireworks in Budapest, with festivities attracting both locals and tourists. - Capture of Brussels in World War I
On August 20, 1914, German forces captured Brussels during World War I. This was a pivotal moment in the early days of the war, as Germany’s advance through neutral Belgium was part of the Schlieffen Plan, aiming to quickly defeat France. The occupation of Brussels marked a significant escalation of the conflict and contributed to Britain’s decision to enter the war. - Battle of Anchialus (917)
On August 20, 917, Tsar Simeon I of Bulgaria defeated the Byzantine army at the Battle of Anchialus, gaining control over Thrace and consolidating Bulgarian dominance in the Balkans. - August 20, 1391: Konrad von Wallenrode became the 24th Hochmeister (Grand Master) of the Teutonic Order, a significant event in the history of the Baltic and Central European regions.
- August 20, 0636: The Battle of Yarmuk concluded, with Arab forces under Khalid bin Walid defeating the Byzantines and taking control of Syria and Palestine. While this battle occurred outside Europe, its consequences significantly affected the Byzantine Empire’s European territories.
- August 20, 1993: Negotiations for the Oslo Accords concluded in Oslo, Norway. While the accords primarily concerned the Middle East, their negotiation in Europe and European diplomatic involvement were significant.
- August 20, 1939: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union announced a trade pact, shocking the world and foreshadowing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which would have profound consequences for Europe just days later.
America
- Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)
On August 20, 1794, U.S. troops led by General Anthony Wayne defeated a confederacy of Native American tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, near present-day Toledo, Ohio. This decisive victory ended major hostilities in the Northwest Indian War and led to the Treaty of Greenville, opening much of present-day Ohio to American settlement. - Voyager 2 Launch (1977)
NASA launched the Voyager 2 spacecraft on August 20, 1977. This mission became one of the most significant in space exploration, eventually providing humanity with unprecedented images and data from the outer planets and interstellar space. - U.S. Embassy Bombing Retaliation (1998)
In response to the August 7, 1998, bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, the United States launched cruise missile attacks against suspected al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan and a suspected chemical weapons facility in Sudan on August 20, 1998. - The Great Fire of 1910
Extreme fire weather in the Inland Northwest caused many small wildfires to merge into the Great Fire of 1910, which burned roughly 3 million acres and killed 87 people, making it one of the largest wildfires in U.S. history. - 1707: The first Siege of Pensacola ended with the British failing to capture the city from the Spanish in Florida.
- 1910: The Great Fire of 1910 devastated large areas of the U.S. Northwest.
- 1938: Baseball legend Lou Gehrig hit his 23rd career grand slam, a record that stood for 75 years.
- 1986: A mass shooting at a post office in Edmond, Oklahoma, resulted in the deaths of 14 postal workers, an event that contributed to the phrase “going postal”.
- 1866: President Andrew Johnson formally declared the end of the American Civil War, months after fighting had ceased.
Asia
- Battle of Yarmouk (636)
On August 20, 636, the Battle of Yarmouk concluded with Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid defeating the Byzantine Empire. This marked a pivotal moment in early Islamic history, as it led to the first major wave of Muslim conquests and the rapid expansion of Islam beyond Arabia into the Levant. - Indonesia Declares Independence (1945)
On August 20, 1945, Indonesia’s struggle for independence intensified as the August Revolution continued, following the formal declaration of independence by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta on August 17. This period marked the beginning of the Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch colonial rule. - Iran–Iraq War Ceasefire (1988)
On August 20, 1988, a ceasefire was agreed upon, effectively ending the Iran–Iraq War after nearly eight years of devastating conflict. The ceasefire was brokered by the United Nations and marked a significant turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. - U.S. Missile Strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan (1998)
On August 20, 1998, the United States launched cruise missile attacks against alleged al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan and a suspected chemical weapons facility in Sudan. These strikes were in retaliation for the August 7 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. - Meitei Language Gains Official Status in India (1992)
On August 20, 1992, the Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri) was included in the list of scheduled languages and made one of the official languages of the Indian government, marking an important step for linguistic and cultural recognition in India. - Firozabad Rail Disaster in India (1995)
On August 20, 1995, the Firozabad rail disaster occurred in India, resulting in the deaths of 358 people, making it one of the deadliest train accidents in Indian history. - Jolo Agreement in the Philippines (1899)
On August 20, 1899, an agreement was signed in Jolo between U.S. General John C. Bates and the Sultan of Sulu, Hadji Mohammed Jamalul Kiram II, which temporarily established peace and U.S. authority in the Sulu Archipelago during the Philippine-American War.
Africa
- Arrival of the First Africans in English North America (1619)
On or about August 20, 1619, the first recorded Africans were forcibly brought to English North America, arriving at Point Comfort (now part of Fort Monroe, Virginia) after being taken from the Portuguese colony of Angola. This event marked the beginning of centuries of trans-Atlantic slave trade and the establishment of slavery in the British colonies, with profound and lasting impacts on Africa and the African diaspora. - U.S. Missile Strikes on Sudan (Operation Infinite Reach, 1998)
On August 20, 1998, the United States launched cruise missile attacks against a pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, Sudan, and al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan. The strike on Sudan was part of Operation Infinite Reach, a retaliation for the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania earlier that month. The attack on Sudan had significant repercussions for Sudanese society and international relations. - Key 20th Century African Milestones (Context)
While not specific to August 20, the 20th century saw major transformative events across Africa, including the Italian invasion of Ethiopia (1935-1936), the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya (1952-1960), Ghana’s independence (1957), the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962), the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa (1960), and the end of apartheid (1994). These events collectively shaped the continent’s modern history.
This day in history: 20 august