Europa
- Napoleonic Wars End (1815)
On November 20, 1815, the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the Napoleonic Wars. This treaty restored the Bourbon monarchy in France and marked the beginning of the Congress of Vienna, which aimed to restore peace and stability in Europe after years of conflict. The outcome of these events significantly shaped the political landscape of Europe, leading to the rise of Prussia and Britain as major powers and influencing the later unification of Germany and Italy. - Battle of Cambrai Begins (1917)
The Battle of Cambrai, a significant engagement during World War I, began on November 20, 1917. British forces, utilizing tanks on a large scale for the first time, attacked German positions. Despite initial progress, the British were eventually pushed back, and the battle resulted in heavy casualties without substantial territorial gains. - Hungary Joins Axis Powers (1940)
On this day in 1940, Hungary became a signatory of the Tripartite Pact, officially joining the Axis powers during World War II. This alignment with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy had far-reaching consequences for Hungary and the broader European conflict. - Nuremberg Trials Commence (1945)
November 20, 1945, marked the start of the Nuremberg Trials in Germany. Twenty-four leading Nazi officials were put on trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace. These trials established key precedents in international law, holding individuals—including state leaders—accountable for atrocities and setting the foundation for future human rights legislation. - Royal Wedding: Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten (1947)
On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in London. The wedding was a symbol of hope and renewal in post-war Britain and was broadcast worldwide, marking a significant moment in British royal history. - Death of Francisco Franco (1975)
Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco died on November 20, 1975, ending his rule that began after the Spanish Civil War. Franco’s death paved the way for Spain’s transition to democracy and the restoration of the monarchy under King Juan Carlos I. - Fire at Windsor Castle (1992): A major fire damaged the historic royal residence in the United Kingdom.
- Polish Presidential Election (1995): Former president Lech Walesa was defeated by Aleksander Kwasniewski in Poland’s presidential election.
America
- New Jersey Ratifies the Bill of Rights (1789)
New Jersey became the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights, marking a foundational moment in American constitutional history. - Mexican Revolution Begins (1910)
Francisco I. Madero launched the Plan de San Luis Potosí, calling for revolution against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. This act sparked the Mexican Revolution, a pivotal event in Mexican and broader American history. - Occupation of Alcatraz by Native American Activists (1969)
Native American activists occupied Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, initiating a protest that lasted until June 1971. This event brought national attention to Native American rights and sovereignty issues. - Battle of Tarawa (1943)
U.S. Marines landed on Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands during World War II, facing fierce resistance from Japanese forces. The battle was one of the first in the U.S. island-hopping campaign in the Pacific. - Cuban Missile Crisis Ends (1962)
The United States ended its quarantine of Cuba after the Soviet Union agreed to remove its missiles, officially concluding the Cuban Missile Crisis and averting a potential nuclear conflict. - International Space Station Construction Begins (1998)
The first module of the International Space Station, Zarya, was launched. This Russian-built, American-owned module marked the beginning of the ISS, a major international scientific collaboration. - 1901: The second Hay-Pauncefote Treaty allowed for U.S. construction of the Panama Canal.
- 1929: The radio program “The Goldbergs” debuted on NBC.
- 1967: The U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Clock passed 200 million.
- 1971: Women’s March for Abortion Rights held in Washington D.C. and San Francisco.
Asia
- Launch of the International Space Station’s First Module (1998)
On November 20, 1998, the first module of the International Space Station (ISS), named Zarya, was launched. This Russian-built, American-owned module marked the beginning of the ISS, a collaborative project involving Russia, the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency. The ISS has become a symbol of international scientific cooperation, with significant participation from Asian space agencies, notably Japan’s JAXA. - Tipu Sultan’s Birth (1750)
Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore and a key figure in South Indian resistance against British colonialism, was born on November 20, 1750. He is remembered for his military innovations and efforts to modernize his kingdom, as well as his fierce opposition to British expansion in India. - Establishment of Bose Research Institute, Kolkata (1917)
The Bose Research Institute, one of India’s premier scientific research institutions, was established in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on November 20, 1917. Founded by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, the institute became a center for pioneering research in physics, biology, and interdisciplinary sciences. - Indian Satellite Launch: Bhaskar (1981)
On this day in 1981, India launched the Bhaskar satellite, an important step in the country’s early space program. The satellite was used for earth observation and remote sensing, contributing to advancements in agriculture, forestry, and environmental monitoring. - PV Sindhu’s Victory at China Open Super Series (2016)
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu won her first Super Series title on November 20, 2016, by defeating China’s Sun Yu in the final of the China Open Super Series. This victory marked a significant milestone in Sindhu’s career and for Indian badminton. - Deaths and Anniversaries
November 20 is also the death anniversary of notable figures such as Faiz Ahmad Faiz, a celebrated Pakistani poet, and Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, an Indian politician and sports administrator. - Battle of Margarana (1946): During the Indonesian National Revolution, 96 Indonesians, including I Gusti Ngurah Rai, were killed in the Battle of Margarana against Dutch forces.
- PV Sindhu’s China Open Win (2016): Sindhu became the second Indian woman to win a Super Series badminton title, following Saina Nehwal.
- International Observances: The United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959, and this day is now celebrated as Universal Children’s Day, with significant observance across many Asian countries.
Africa
- Africa Industrialization Day
November 20 is officially recognized as Africa Industrialization Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1991–2000). The day was announced by the Organization of African Unity during its 25th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in July 1989. It is observed annually to mobilize global and continental commitment to accelerate Africa’s industrialization and to highlight the challenges the continent faces in this regard. Events on this day include seminars, meetings, and policy discussions aimed at promoting sustainable industrial growth, economic diversification, and innovation in Africa. The 2024 theme focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence and green industrialization to accelerate Africa’s structural transformation. - Birth of Nadine Gordimer (1923)
South African novelist and Nobel Prize laureate Nadine Gordimer was born on November 20, 1923. Her literary work often addressed themes of apartheid, exile, and alienation, making her one of Africa’s most influential writers. - Political Developments in South Africa (1975)
On November 20, 1975, the Bophuthatswana Legislative Assembly voted to open negotiations with South Africa for independence. Bophuthatswana was one of the apartheid-era “homelands” or Bantustans designated for black South Africans.
This day in history: 20 november