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On This Day

October 20

YEAR 2017

Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) declare victory in the Raqqa campaign.

Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) declare victory in the Raqqa campaign.

YEAR 2011

Libyan Crisis: Rebel forces capture Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his son Mutassim in his hometown of Sirte and kill them shortly thereafter, en...

Libyan Crisis: Rebel forces capture Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his son Mutassim in his hometown of Sirte and kill them shortly thereafter, ending the first Libyan civil war.

YEAR 2005

The general conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passes the Convention on the Protection and Pr...

The general conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passes the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

YEAR 1991

A 6.8 Mw earthquake strikes the Uttarkashi region of India, killing more than 1,000 people.

A 6.8 Mw earthquake strikes the Uttarkashi region of India, killing more than 1,000 people.

YEAR 1973

Watergate scandal: "Saturday Night Massacre": United States President Richard Nixon fires U.S. Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney...

Watergate scandal: "Saturday Night Massacre": United States President Richard Nixon fires U.S. Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus after they refuse to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who is final...

YEAR 1962

China launches simultaneous offensives in Ladakh and across the McMahon Line, igniting the Sino-Indian War.

China launches simultaneous offensives in Ladakh and across the McMahon Line, igniting the Sino-Indian War.

YEAR 1961

The Soviet Navy performs the first armed test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, launching an R-13 from a Golf-class submarine.

The Soviet Navy performs the first armed test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, launching an R-13 from a Golf-class submarine.

YEAR 1944

World War II: The Soviet Red Army and Yugoslav Partisans liberate Belgrade.

World War II: The Soviet Red Army and Yugoslav Partisans liberate Belgrade.

YEAR 1944

World War II: American general Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the Philippines when he comes ashore during the Battle of Leyte.

World War II: American general Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the Philippines when he comes ashore during the Battle of Leyte.

YEAR 1941

World War II: Thousands of civilians in German-occupied Serbia are murdered in the Kragujevac massacre.

World War II: Thousands of civilians in German-occupied Serbia are murdered in the Kragujevac massacre.

YEAR 1910

British ocean liner RMS Olympic is launched.

British ocean liner RMS Olympic is launched.

YEAR 1904

Chile and Bolivia sign the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, delimiting the border between the two countries.

Chile and Bolivia sign the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, delimiting the border between the two countries.

YEAR 1883

Peru and Chile sign the Treaty of Ancón, by which the Tarapacá province is ceded to the latter, bringing an end to Peru's involvement in the War of th...

Peru and Chile sign the Treaty of Ancón, by which the Tarapacá province is ceded to the latter, bringing an end to Peru's involvement in the War of the Pacific.

YEAR 1827

Greek War of Independence: In the Battle of Navarino, a combined Turkish and Egyptian fleet is defeated by British, French and Russian naval forces in...

Greek War of Independence: In the Battle of Navarino, a combined Turkish and Egyptian fleet is defeated by British, French and Russian naval forces in the last significant battle fought with wooden sailing ships.

YEAR 1781

The Patent of Toleration, providing limited freedom of worship, is approved in Austria.

The Patent of Toleration, providing limited freedom of worship, is approved in Austria.

YEAR 1774

American Revolution: The Continental Association, a nonconsumption and nonimportation agreement against the British Isles and the British West Indies,...

American Revolution: The Continental Association, a nonconsumption and nonimportation agreement against the British Isles and the British West Indies, is adopted by the First Continental Congress.