September 20 in history — What Happened Today in History
Curious what September 20 in history holds? From 2019 back through the centuries, our timeline gathers everything that happened on September 20 — events, birthdays and deaths on one cozy page.
On this page, September 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 September 20 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on September 20 in History 40
- 2019
Roughly four million people, mostly students, demonstrate across the world to address climate change. Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden leads the demonstration in New York City.
- 2018
At least 161 people die after a ferry capsizes close to the pier on Ukara Island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania.
- 2017
Hurricane Maria makes landfall in Puerto Rico as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, resulting in 2,975 deaths, US$90 billion in damage, and a major humanitarian crisis.
- 2011
The United States military ends its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, allowing gay men and women to serve openly for the first time.
- 2008
A dump truck full of explosives detonates in front of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 54 people and injuring 266 others.
- 2007
Between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters march on Jena, Louisiana, United States, in support of six black youths who had been convicted of assaulting a white classmate.
- 2003
Civil unrest in the Maldives breaks out after a prisoner is killed by guards.
- 2001
In an address to a joint session of Congress and the American people, U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "war on terror".
- 2000
The United Kingdom's MI6 Secret Intelligence Service building is attacked by individuals using a Russian-built RPG-22 anti-tank missile.
- 1990
South Ossetia declares its independence from Georgia.
- 1989
USAir Flight 5050 crashes into Bowery Bay during a rejected takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, killing two people.
- 1988
Margaret Thatcher delivers the Bruges speech, in which she articulates her opposition to further European integration.
All entries for September 20（+28）
- 1986
Aeroflot Flight 36075 is hijacked at Ufa International Airport.
- 1984
A suicide bomber in a car attacks the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing twenty-two people.
- 1982
NFL season: American football players in the National Football League begin a 57-day strike.
- 1979
A French-organized coup d'état in the Central African Empire overthrows Emperor Bokassa I.
- 1977
Vietnam is admitted to the United Nations.
- 1973
Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes tennis match at the Houston Astrodome.
- 1973
Singer Jim Croce, songwriter and musician Maury Muehleisen and four others die when their light aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches Regional Airport in Louisiana.
- 1971
Having weakened after making landfall in Nicaragua the previous day, Hurricane Irene regains enough strength to be renamed Hurricane Olivia, making it the first known hurricane to cross from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific.
- 1967
The Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched in Clydebank, Scotland.
- 1965
Following the Battle of Burki, the Indian Army captures Dograi in during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
- 1962
James Meredith, an African American, is temporarily barred from entering the University of Mississippi.
- 1961
Greek general Konstantinos Dovas becomes Prime Minister of Greece.
- 1955
The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed.
- 1954
The Moomin comics, created by Tove Jansson and Lars Jansson, is published internationally in the London newspaper The Evening News.
- 1946
The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.
- 1946
Six days after a referendum, King Christian X of Denmark annuls the declaration of independence of the Faroe Islands.
- 1941
The Holocaust in Lithuania: Lithuanian Nazis and local police begin a mass execution of 403 Jews in Nemenčinė.
- 1920
Irish War of Independence: British police known as "Black and Tans" burn the town of Balbriggan and kill two local men in revenge for an IRA assassination.
- 1911
The White Star Line's RMS Olympic collides with the British warship HMS Hawke.
- 1893
Charles Duryea and his brother road-test the first American-made gasoline-powered automobile.
- 1881
U.S. President Chester A. Arthur is sworn in upon the death of James A. Garfield the previous day.
- 1871
Bishop John Coleridge Patteson, first bishop of Melanesia, is martyred on Nukapu, now in the Solomon Islands.
- 1870
The Bersaglieri corps enter Rome through the Porta Pia, and complete the unification of Italy.
- 1863
American Civil War: The Battle of Chickamauga, in northwestern Georgia, ends in a Confederate victory.
- 1860
The future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom begins the first visit to North America by a Prince of Wales.
- 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ends with the recapture of Delhi by troops loyal to the East India Company.
- 1854
Crimean War: British and French troops defeat Russians at the Battle of Alma.
- 1848
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is created.
Famous Birthdays on September 20 in History 25
- 2003
Thomas Matthew Crooks, American attempted assassin of Donald Trump (died 2024)
- 1998
Trevon Diggs, American football player
- 1997
Itamar Einhorn, Israeli Olympic cyclist
- 1997
Nathan Knight, American basketball player
- 1996
Ioana Loredana Roșca, Romanian tennis player
- 1995
Laura Dekker, Dutch sailor
- 1995
Sammi Hanratty, American actress
- 1995
Rob Holding, English footballer
- 1994
Ryan Hartman, American ice hockey player
- 1993
Kyle Anderson, American-Chinese basketball player
- 1993
Julian Draxler, German footballer
- 1992
Michał Żyro, Polish footballer
All entries for September 20（+13）
- 1991
Isaac Cofie, Ghanaian footballer
- 1990
Ken Giles, American baseball player
- 1990
Carlos Hyde, American football player
- 1990
Donatas Motiejūnas, Lithuanian basketball player
- 1990
Phillip Phillips, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- 1990
John Tavares, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1988
Sergei Bobrovsky, Russian ice hockey player
- 1988
Coby Fleener, American football player
- 1988
Khabib Nurmagomedov, Russian mixed martial artist
- 1988
Ayano Ōmoto, Japanese singer and dancer
- 1988
Ryan Simpkins, Australian rugby league player
- 1987
Gain, South Korean singer
- 1987
Jack Lawless, American drummer
Notable Deaths on September 20 in History 25
- 2026
Chad Gilbert, American musician, songwriter, and producer (born 1981)
- 2025
Matt Beard, English football manager (born 1978)
- 2024
Ibrahim Aqil, Hezbollah militant (born 1962)
- 2024
Kathryn Crosby, American actress and singer (born 1933)
- 2024
Daniel J. Evans, American politician, 16th Governor of Washington (born 1925)
- 2024
Sayuri, Japanese musician (born 1996)
- 2024
Cleo Sylvestre, English actress (born 1945)
- 2024
Eduardo Xol, American designer and author (born 1966)
- 2023
Maddy Cusack, English football player (born 1995)
- 2016
Curtis Hanson, American film director and screenwriter (born 1945)
- 2016
Peter Leo Gerety, American bishop (born 1912)
- 2015
Mario Caiano, Italian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1933)
All entries for September 20（+13）
- 2015
Jagmohan Dalmiya, Indian businessman (born 1940)
- 2015
Jack Larson, American actor (born 1928)
- 2014
Anatoly Berezovoy, Russian colonel, pilot, and cosmonaut (born 1942)
- 2014
Polly Bergen, American actress and singer (born 1930)
- 2014
Takako Doi, Japanese scholar and politician (born 1928)
- 2014
George Sluizer, French-Dutch director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1932)
- 2013
James B. Vaught, American general (born 1926)
- 2013
Gilles Verlant, Belgian journalist and critic (born 1957)
- 2012
Fortunato Baldelli, Italian cardinal (born 1935)
- 2012
Richard H. Cracroft, American author and academic (born 1936)
- 2012
Tereska Torrès, French soldier and author (born 1920)
- 2011
Oscar Handlin, American historian and author (born 1915)
- 2011
Burhanuddin Rabbani, Afghan academic and politician, 10th President of Afghanistan (born 1940)
That is the story of September 20 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on September 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 September 20 in history?
The biggest event on September 20 in history is: 2019 — Roughly four million people, mostly students, demonstrate across the world to address climate change. Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden leads the demonstration in New York City.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on September 20?
25 famous people were born on September 20 in history, the best known being 2003 — Thomas Matthew Crooks, American attempted assassin of Donald Trump (died 2024).
Who died on September 20?
25 notable people died on September 20 in history, including 2026 — Chad Gilbert, American musician, songwriter, and producer (born 1981).
Why should I read about September 20 in history?
Exploring September 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.
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