This day in history: 20 february

Europa

• 1472 – Orkney and Shetland pawned by Norway to Scotland: Norway transferred the Orkney and Shetland islands to Scotland as part of a dowry agreement for Margaret of Denmark’s marriage to James III of Scotland. This transfer, initially meant as a temporary measure until the dowry was paid, became permanent and significantly changed the islands’ cultural landscape.
• 1816 – Premiere of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville”: The famous opera debuted at the Teatro Argentina in Rome, marking a milestone in European musical history.
• 1846 – Kraków Uprising: Polish insurgents led an uprising in Kraków, aiming to incite a broader fight for national independence.
• 1877 – Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”: This iconic ballet was first performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, becoming one of the world’s best-known ballets.
• 1894 – 20 February bombings: Désiré Pauwels carried out bombings in France during the period known as the Ère des attentats (Era of Attacks), reflecting the era’s political unrest.
• 2005 – Spain holds EU Constitution referendum: Spain became the first country to vote in a referendum on ratifying the proposed Constitution of the European Union, passing it by a substantial margin, though with low turnout.
• 2010 – Madeira floods and mudslides: Heavy rain caused devastating floods and mudslides on Madeira Island, Portugal, resulting in at least 43 deaths—the worst disaster in the archipelago’s history.
• 2014 – Euromaidan protests in Ukraine: Dozens of anti-government protesters were killed in Kyiv, many reportedly by snipers, marking a turning point in Ukraine’s political crisis.
• 2015 – Swiss train collision: Two trains collided in Rafz, Switzerland, injuring up to 49 people and causing significant disruption to rail services.

America

• 1962 – John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth: Astronaut John Glenn orbited the planet three times aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft, marking a major milestone for the U.S. space program during the Cold War.
• 1792 – Establishment of the U.S. Post Office: President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, creating the United States Post Office Department, a foundational institution for American communication and infrastructure.
• 1872 – Opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met opened its doors in New York City, eventually becoming one of the world’s most renowned art museums.
• 1864 – Battle of Olustee: The largest Civil War battle fought in Florida took place, resulting in a Confederate victory and significant casualties.
• 1839 – U.S. Congress outlaws dueling in the District of Columbia: This legislative action was part of broader efforts to curb violence among politicians and citizens.
• 1929 – Creation of American Samoa: The U.S. Congress formally accepted the deeds of cession for eastern Samoa, establishing it as American Samoa, a U.S. territory.
• 1933 – Repeal of Prohibition advances: The U.S. Congress approved the Blaine Act, sending the 21st Amendment (which would repeal Prohibition) to the states for ratification.
• 1943 – Paricutín volcano erupts in Mexico: The sudden emergence of the volcano in Michoacán buried two villages and became a rare, well-documented example of a volcano’s birth in modern times.
• 1965 – Malcolm X assassinated: Civil rights leader Malcolm X was killed in New York City, becoming an enduring symbol of Black empowerment and activism.
• 2003 – The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island: A fire during a concert killed 100 people and injured more than 230, making it one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.
• 2008 – U.S. Navy destroys a malfunctioning spy satellite: A missile launched from the USS Lake Erie intercepted and destroyed an inoperable satellite to prevent its hazardous fuel from reaching Earth.
• 2005 – Death of Hunter S. Thompson: The influential American journalist and author, known for creating “gonzo journalism,” died by suicide.

Asia

• 668 – Prince Naka no Ōe becomes Emperor Tenji of Japan: This marks a key moment in Japanese imperial history, as Prince Naka no Ōe acceded to the throne.
• 1582 – Itō Mansho’s entourage departs for Rome: This early diplomatic mission from Japan to Europe reflected growing international engagement.
• 1923 – Completion of the Maru Building in Tokyo: At the time, it was the largest office building in Asia, symbolizing Japan’s modernization and economic growth.
• 1928 – Japan holds its first public election: This was a milestone in Japanese democracy, though voting was limited to men aged 25 and older.
• 1933 – Death of Kobayashi Takiji: The Japanese author, known for his proletarian literature, was arrested and killed by police, highlighting political repression in prewar Japan.
• 1968 – Founding of the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST): This institution became China’s main center for satellite research and development, significantly advancing the nation’s space program.
• 1979 – Sinila volcanic disaster in Indonesia: An earthquake caused the Sinila crater on the Dieng Plateau to release poisonous gas, killing 149 villagers in Central Java.
• 1988 – Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast votes to secede from Azerbaijan: This decision triggered the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, a major conflict in the South Caucasus region.
• 1985 – Japan’s Council on National Language reforms kana usage: This marked a significant step in the modernization of the Japanese written language.
• 1998 – Tara Lipinski wins Olympic gold in Nagano, Japan: The American figure skater became the youngest gold medalist in Winter Olympics history at the games held in Asia.

Africa

• 2011 – The February 20 Movement in Morocco: On this day, a mass protest movement began in Morocco, inspired by the wider Arab Spring. Demonstrators called for political reforms, an end to corruption, and greater social justice. The movement led to significant demonstrations across the country, but was met with both concessions and repression by the monarchy. The government responded with a constitutional referendum and elections, but also with crackdowns on activists. The movement’s legacy is commemorated annually, marking a pivotal moment in Morocco’s contemporary political history.
• World Day of Social Justice: Since 2009, 20 February has been observed globally as the United Nations’ World Day of Social Justice. This day is dedicated to promoting efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections. In Africa, the day is recognized as a time to reflect on and advance social justice initiatives across the continent.
• 1848 – Bishop Robert Gray arrives in South Africa: Bishop Robert Gray became the first Anglican Bishop of Cape Town, marking a significant moment in the religious and colonial history of South Africa.
• 1859 – Turffontein farm registered: The farm Turffontein was registered in what would become Johannesburg’s first suburb, an important step in the urban development of South Africa’s largest city.
• 1925 – Birth of Alex La Guma: The South African novelist, short story writer, and political activist Alex La Guma was born in Cape Town. He became a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement and contributed significantly to South African literature.