April 20: What Happened on This Day in History
April 20th marks the 110th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 111th in case of leap years). There are 255 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on April 20th in history, famous birthdays on April 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to April 20.
What happened on April 20?
Here's what happened on April 20th in history:
- 2023: SpaceX successfully launched its groundbreaking Starship rocket, the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed, from Starbase in South Texas. Despite achieving liftoff, the spacecraft experienced critical control issues and was explosively terminated approximately four minutes into its maiden orbital test flight, marking a significant milestone in space exploration development. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 2018: On April 20, 2018, a former Liberian warlord, Mohammed Jabbateh, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in the United States for immigration fraud and lying about his past involvement in war crimes. His case highlighted issues of accountability for atrocities committed during Liberia's civil wars. source: bbc.com
- 2016: On April 20, 2016, a tragic shipwreck occurred in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the deaths of numerous migrants attempting to reach Europe. This incident underscored the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. source: bbc.com
- 2015: A United Nations convoy was bombed in Puntland, Somalia, on April 20, 2015. The attack resulted in the deaths of several UN personnel and local staff, highlighting the security challenges faced by international organizations in the region. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2012: On April 20, 2012, reports emerged of a massacre carried out by the Syrian Army in Idlib province. The attack resulted in numerous civilian casualties and drew international condemnation. source: hrw.org
- 1997: The Easter Seal Telethon successfully raised funds to support individuals with disabilities. The event featured various performances and was broadcasted nationwide, highlighting the importance of community support. source: easterseals.com
- 1992: Television journalist Joan Lunden breaks her left shoulder after being thrown from a horse, highlighting the potential risks of equestrian activities.
- 1984: On April 20, 1984, a bomb exploded in the baggage area of Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport in London. The explosion occurred at 7:55 p.m., injuring 22 people, one of whom was critically wounded. The Angry Brigade, a British anarchist group, claimed responsibility for the bombing. British officials dismissed the claim, instead suspecting Libyan-related Arab groups.
- 1976: On April 20, 1976, the case Williams v. Saxbe resulted in the first damages award for sexual harassment in the workplace. This landmark case set a precedent for future sexual harassment claims in the United States. source: eeoc.gov
- 1970: On April 20, 1970, President Richard Nixon announced an acceleration of U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam, aiming to reduce American military presence in the region amid ongoing peace negotiations. source: archives.gov
What famous birthdays are on April 20?
On April 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Adolf Hitler]()
Adolf Hitler (1889)Adolf Hitler was a German politician who led the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) and became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, later assuming the title of Führer in 1934. He instigated World War II by invading Poland in 1939 and was a principal architect of the Holocaust, orchestrating the genocide of six million Jews and millions of others. … [bio]
![Luther Vandross]()
Luther Vandross (1951)Luther Vandross was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, known for his smooth, soulful voice and romantic ballads. He became one of the most influential R&B artists of the late 20th century. [bio]
![Andy Serkis]()
Andy Serkis (1964)Andy Serkis is a British actor, director, and producer renowned for his pioneering work in performance-capture roles, most notably as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot series. He is acclaimed for his technical innovations and performances that have redefined the perception of motion-capture acting in modern cinema. [bio]
![Jessica Lange]()
Jessica Lange (1949)Jessica Lange is an acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater. Over her decades-long career, she has become one of the most respected actresses of her generation, recognized for both her dramatic and comedic roles. [bio]
![Shemar Moore]()
Shemar Moore (1970)Shemar Moore is an American actor and former fashion model, best known for his roles on the television series 'Criminal Minds' and 'S.W.A.T.' He has also appeared on 'The Young and the Restless,' earning a Daytime Emmy Award for his work. [bio]
![George Takei]()
George Takei (1937)George Takei is an American actor, author, and activist best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original 'Star Trek' television series and its film sequels. He is also recognized for his activism in LGBTQ rights and for raising awareness about the Japanese American internment during World War II. [bio]
![Nicholas Lyndhurst]()
Nicholas Lyndhurst (1961)Nicholas Lyndhurst is an English actor best known for his role as Rodney Trotter in the long-running and beloved BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. With a career spanning several decades, he has also starred in other notable television series such as Goodnight Sweetheart and Butterflies. [bio]
![Leslie Phillips]()
Leslie Phillips (1924)Leslie Phillips was a renowned English actor, voice artist, and author, best known for his roles in the 'Carry On', 'Doctor in the House', and 'Harry Potter' film series. With a career spanning over eight decades, he became famous for his suave persona, comic timing, and his distinctive voice. [bio]
![Ryan O'Neal]()
Ryan O'Neal (1941)Ryan O'Neal is an American actor best known for his roles in classic films such as 'Love Story' (1970), 'Paper Moon' (1973), and 'Barry Lyndon' (1975). Rising to fame in the 1970s, he remains a notable figure in Hollywood, recognized for his romantic leads and collaborations with esteemed directors. [bio]
![Carmen Electra]()
Carmen Electra (1972)Carmen Electra is an American actress, model, singer, and television personality best known for her roles on 'Baywatch' and in the 'Scary Movie' film series, as well as for her modeling work with Playboy magazine. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on April 20?
On April 20th the following celebrities died:
![Benny Hill]()
Benny Hill (1992)Benny Hill was a renowned British comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his long-running television program 'The Benny Hill Show'. His slapstick humor, sight gags, and innuendo-laden comedy routines made him an international star. [bio]
![Alan Dale]()
![Christian X]()
Christian X (1947)Christian X was the King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947 and the King of Iceland from 1918 to 1944. He is remembered for his role during World War II, becoming a symbol of Danish resistance against Nazi occupation. [bio]
![Dylan Klebold]()
Dylan Klebold (1999)Dylan Klebold was one of the perpetrators of the infamous Columbine High School massacre, a tragic school shooting in Colorado that shocked...
![Cantinflas]()
Cantinflas (1993)Cantinflas was Mexico's most iconic comedian and actor of the 20th century, starring in nearly 50 films and becoming a beloved international...
![Avicii]()
Avicii (2018)Avicii was a pioneering Swedish DJ and electronic music producer who revolutionized the dance music genre with his unique blend of folk and...
![Dorothy Height]()
Dorothy Height (2010)Prominent African American civil rights activist who played a crucial role in the women's rights and racial equality movements during the...
![Don Siegel]()
Don Siegel (1991)Renowned American film director known for influential movies like 'Dirty Harry' and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'.
![Rick Rude]()
Rick Rude (1999)Rick Rude was a famous American professional wrestler known for his charismatic persona and impressive physique, who was a prominent figure...
![Madelyn Pugh]()
Madelyn Pugh (2011)Pioneering television comedy writer best known for her groundbreaking work on 'I Love Lucy', one of the most influential sitcoms in...
What day of the year is April 20?
April 20th marks the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 111th in case of leap years).
There are 255 days remaining until the end of the year.
April 20th is the 20th day of the month of April.
What day of the week is April 20?
On April 20th, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day April 20?
The zodiac sign associated with April 20th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
