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On This Day

July 20

YEAR 2019

Soyuz MS-13 is launched to the International Space Station on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Soyuz MS-13 is launched to the International Space Station on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

YEAR 2015

The United States and Cuba resume full diplomatic relations after five decades.

The United States and Cuba resume full diplomatic relations after five decades.

YEAR 2013

Seventeen government soldiers are killed in an attack by FARC revolutionaries in the Colombian department of Arauca.

Seventeen government soldiers are killed in an attack by FARC revolutionaries in the Colombian department of Arauca.

YEAR 1997

The fully restored USS Constitution (a.k.a. Old Ironsides) celebrates its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years.

The fully restored USS Constitution (a.k.a. Old Ironsides) celebrates its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years.

YEAR 1992

Václav Havel resigns as president of Czechoslovakia.

Václav Havel resigns as president of Czechoslovakia.

YEAR 1974

Turkish invasion of Cyprus: Forces from Turkey invade Cyprus after a coup d'état, organised by the dictator of Greece, against president Makarios.

Turkish invasion of Cyprus: Forces from Turkey invade Cyprus after a coup d'état, organised by the dictator of Greece, against president Makarios.

YEAR 1969

Apollo program: Apollo 11's crew successfully makes the first human landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz A...

Apollo program: Apollo 11's crew successfully makes the first human landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon six and a half hours later.

YEAR 1968

The first International Special Olympics Summer Games are held at Soldier Field in Chicago, with about 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The first International Special Olympics Summer Games are held at Soldier Field in Chicago, with about 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

YEAR 1960

The Polaris missile is successfully launched from a submarine, the USS George Washington, for the first time.

The Polaris missile is successfully launched from a submarine, the USS George Washington, for the first time.

YEAR 1944

World War II: Adolf Hitler survives an assassination attempt led by German Army Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.

World War II: Adolf Hitler survives an assassination attempt led by German Army Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.

YEAR 1940

California opens its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway.

California opens its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway.

YEAR 1932

In the Preußenschlag, German President Hindenburg places Prussia directly under the rule of the national government.

In the Preußenschlag, German President Hindenburg places Prussia directly under the rule of the national government.

YEAR 1917

World War I: The Corfu Declaration, which leads to the creation of the post-war Kingdom of Yugoslavia, is signed by the Yugoslav Committee and Kingdom...

World War I: The Corfu Declaration, which leads to the creation of the post-war Kingdom of Yugoslavia, is signed by the Yugoslav Committee and Kingdom of Serbia.

YEAR 1906

In Finland, a new electoral law is ratified, guaranteeing the country the first and equal right to vote in the world. Finnish women are the first in E...

In Finland, a new electoral law is ratified, guaranteeing the country the first and equal right to vote in the world. Finnish women are the first in Europe to receive the right to vote.

YEAR 1903

The Ford Motor Company ships its first automobile.

The Ford Motor Company ships its first automobile.

YEAR 1848

The first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, a two-day event, concludes.

The first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, a two-day event, concludes.

YEAR 1810

Citizens of Bogotá, New Granada declare independence from Spain.

Citizens of Bogotá, New Granada declare independence from Spain.

YEAR 1807

Nicéphore Niépce is awarded a patent by Napoleon for the Pyréolophore, the world's first internal combustion engine, after it successfully powered a b...

Nicéphore Niépce is awarded a patent by Napoleon for the Pyréolophore, the world's first internal combustion engine, after it successfully powered a boat upstream on the river Saône in France.

YEAR 1799

Tekle Giyorgis I begins his first of six reigns as Emperor of Ethiopia.

Tekle Giyorgis I begins his first of six reigns as Emperor of Ethiopia.

YEAR 1715

Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War: The Ottoman Empire captures Nauplia, the capital of the Republic of Venice's "Kingdom of the Morea", thereby opening the...

Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War: The Ottoman Empire captures Nauplia, the capital of the Republic of Venice's "Kingdom of the Morea", thereby opening the way to the swift Ottoman reconquest of the Morea.