March 20 in history — What Happened Today in History
March 20 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on March 20 in history, who was born on March 20 and who passed away on March 20, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, March 20 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about March 20 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on March 20 in History 40
- 2021
La Plume noire, an anarchist bookstore in Lyon, is targeted by an attack of the far-right, provoking a shock in Lyon's far-left circles.
- 2019
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is sworn in as acting president of Kazakhstan, following the resignation of long-time president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
- 2015
A solar eclipse, equinox, and a supermoon all occur on the same day.
- 2015
Syrian civil war: The Siege of Kobanî is broken by the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Free Syrian Army (FSA), marking a turning point in the Rojava–Islamist conflict.
- 2014
Four suspected Taliban members attack the Kabul Serena Hotel, killing at least nine people.
- 2012
At least 52 people are killed and more than 250 injured in a wave of terror attacks across ten cities in Iraq.
- 2010
Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland begins eruptions that would last for three months, heavily disrupting air travel in Europe.
- 2006
Over 150 Chadian soldiers are killed in eastern Chad by members of the rebel UFDC. The rebel movement sought to overthrow Chadian president Idriss Déby.
- 2003
Iraq War: The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland begin an invasion of Iraq.
- 2000
Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a former Black Panther once known as H. Rap Brown, is captured after murdering Georgia sheriff's deputy Ricky Kinchen and critically wounding Deputy Aldranon English.
- 1999
Legoland California, the first Legoland outside of Europe, opens in Carlsbad, California, US.
- 1995
The Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo carries out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, killing 14 and wounding over 6,200 people.
All entries for March 20（+28）
- 1993
The Troubles: A Provisional IRA bomb kills two children in Warrington, England. It leads to mass protests in both Britain and Ireland.
- 1990
Ferdinand Marcos's widow, Imelda Marcos, goes on trial for bribery, embezzlement, and racketeering.
- 1988
Eritrean War of Independence: Having defeated the Nadew Command, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front enters the town of Afabet, victoriously concluding the Battle of Afabet.
- 1987
The Food and Drug Administration approves the anti-AIDS drug, AZT.
- 1985
Libby Riddles becomes the first woman to win the 1,135-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
- 1972
The Troubles: The first car bombing by the Provisional IRA in Belfast kills seven people and injures 148 others in Northern Ireland.
- 1969
A United Arab Airlines (now Egyptair) Ilyushin Il-18 crashes at Aswan International Airport, killing 100 people.
- 1964
The precursor of the European Space Agency, ESRO (European Space Research Organisation) is established per an agreement signed on June 14, 1962.
- 1956
Tunisia gains independence from France.
- 1952
The US Senate ratifies the Security Treaty between the United States and Japan.
- 1951
Fujiyoshida, a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, in the center of the Japanese main island of Honshū is founded.
- 1948
With a Musicians Union ban lifted, the first telecasts of classical music in the United States, under Eugene Ormandy and Arturo Toscanini, are given on CBS and NBC.
- 1942
World War II: General Douglas MacArthur, at Terowie, South Australia, makes his famous speech regarding the fall of the Philippines, in which he says: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return".
- 1933
Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler orders the creation of Dachau concentration camp as Chief of Police of Munich and appoints Theodor Eicke as the camp commandant.
- 1926
Chiang Kai-shek initiates a purge of communist elements within the National Revolutionary Army in Guangzhou.
- 1923
The Arts Club of Chicago hosts the opening of Pablo Picasso's first United States showing, entitled Original Drawings by Pablo Picasso, becoming an early proponent of modern art in the United States.
- 1922
The USS Langley is commissioned as the first United States Navy aircraft carrier.
- 1921
The Upper Silesia plebiscite, mandated by the Versailles Treaty to determine a section of the border between Weimar Germany and Poland, is held.
- 1916
Albert Einstein submits his paper, "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity", which establishes his general theory of relativity, to the journal Annalen der Physik.
- 1914
In the Curragh incident, over 100 British Army officers threaten to resign if ordered to march against the Ulster Volunteers.
- 1913
Sung Chiao-jen, a founder of the Chinese Nationalist Party, is wounded in an assassination attempt and dies 2 days later.
- 1903
The first of a series of auctions of sheep farming land in southern Patagonia takes place impacting established settlers.
- 1896
With the approval of Emperor Guangxu, the Qing dynasty post office is opened, marking the beginning of a postal service in China.
- 1890
Chancellor of the German Empire Otto von Bismarck is dismissed by Emperor Wilhelm II.
- 1888
The premiere of the very first Romani language operetta is staged in Moscow, Russia.
- 1883
The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is signed.
- 1861
An earthquake destroys Mendoza, Argentina.
- 1854
The Republican Party of the United States is organized in Ripon, Wisconsin, US.
Famous Birthdays on March 20 in History 25
- 2004
Belle, American singer
- 2003
Cooper Hoffman, American actor
- 2002
Jahmyr Gibbs, American football player
- 2001
Trevor Zegras, American ice hockey player
- 2000
Hyunjin, South Korean rapper
- 1995
Lindsay Allen, American basketball player
- 1995
Kei, South Korean singer
- 1995
Nick Paul, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1995
Samantha Weinstein, Canadian actress (died 2023)
- 1993
Fabian Fahl, German politician
- 1993
JaKarr Sampson, American basketball player
- 1993
Sloane Stephens, American tennis player
All entries for March 20（+13）
- 1992
Justin Faulk, American ice hockey player
- 1991
Mattia Destro, Italian footballer
- 1991
Michał Kucharczyk, Polish footballer
- 1991
Nick Leddy, American ice hockey player
- 1990
Blake Ferguson, Australian rugby league player
- 1990
Brad Hand, American baseball player
- 1990
Marcos Rojo, Argentine footballer
- 1989
Xavier Dolan, Canadian actor and director
- 1989
Tamim Iqbal, Bangladeshi cricketer
- 1987
Daniel Maa Boumsong, Cameroonian footballer
- 1987
Jon Brockman, American basketball player
- 1987
Jô, Brazilian footballer
- 1987
Pedro Ken, Brazilian footballer
Notable Deaths on March 20 in History 25
- 2026
Nicholas Brendon, American actor (born 1971)
- 2026
Filaret Denysenko, Ukrainian religious leader, Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate (born 1929)
- 2026
Robert Mueller, American attorney, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (born 1944)
- 2025
Eddie Jordan, Irish businessman, television personality and motorsport team owner (born 1948)
- 2023
John Sattler, Australian rugby league player (born 1942)
- 2023
Kyle White, Australian rugby league player (born 1970)
- 2020
Amadeo Carrizo, Argentine footballer (born 1926)
- 2020
Kenny Rogers, American singer (born 1938)
- 2019
Mary Warnock, English philosopher and writer (born 1924)
- 2018
C. K. Mann, Ghanaian Highlife musician and producer (born 1936)
- 2017
David Rockefeller, American billionaire and philanthropist (born 1915)
- 2016
Anker Jørgensen, Danish politician, Prime Minister of Denmark (born 1922)
All entries for March 20（+13）
- 2015
Eva Burrows, Australian 13th General of The Salvation Army (born 1929)
- 2015
Malcolm Fraser, Australian politician, 22nd Prime Minister of Australia (born 1930)
- 2014
Hennie Aucamp, South African poet, author, and academic (born 1934)
- 2014
Hilderaldo Bellini, Brazilian footballer (born 1930)
- 2014
Tonie Nathan, American politician (born 1923)
- 2014
Khushwant Singh, Indian journalist and author (born 1915)
- 2013
James Herbert, English author (born 1943)
- 2013
George Lowe, New Zealand-English mountaineer and explorer (born 1924)
- 2013
Zillur Rahman, Bangladeshi lawyer and politician, 19th President of Bangladesh (born 1929)
- 2012
Lincoln Hall, Australian mountaineer and author (born 1955)
- 2012
Noboru Ishiguro, Japanese animator and director (born 1938)
- 2012
Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, Polish-Israeli rabbi and author (born 1910)
- 2012
Jim Stynes, Irish-Australian footballer (born 1966)
That is the story of March 20 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on March 20 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on March 20 in history?
The biggest event on March 20 in history is: 2021 — La Plume noire, an anarchist bookstore in Lyon, is targeted by an attack of the far-right, provoking a shock in Lyon's far-left circles.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on March 20?
25 famous people were born on March 20 in history, the best known being 2004 — Belle, American singer.
Who died on March 20?
25 notable people died on March 20 in history, including 2026 — Nicholas Brendon, American actor (born 1971).
Why should I read about March 20 in history?
Exploring March 20 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
Browse the March calendar
Take a random trip through time
What happened on your birthday?
Enter your date of birth and travel back to the day you were born.