August 20: What Happened on This Day in History
August 20th marks the 232nd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 233rd in case of leap years). There are 133 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 20th in history, famous birthdays on August 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 20.
What happened on August 20?
Here's what happened on August 20th in history:
- 2013: On August 20, 2013, The Guardian reported that the UK government exerted pressure to prevent the publication of documents related to Edward Snowden's revelations about mass surveillance. This raised concerns about press freedom and government transparency. source: theguardian.com
- 2008: On August 20, 2008, Usain Bolt won the gold medal in the 200m event at the Beijing Olympics, setting a new world record with a time of 19.30 seconds. This victory solidified his status as one of the greatest sprinters in history. source: bbc.com
- 2006: On August 20, 2006, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held its first multi-party elections in over 40 years. The elections were part of a peace process aimed at ending years of conflict and establishing a democratic government. International observers monitored the elections to ensure transparency and fairness. source: bbc.com
- 1990: On August 20, 1990, Iraq announced it had relocated Western detainees to vital military targets, fulfilling its threat to use them as human shields against potential American attacks. This action was part of Iraq's broader strategy to deter military intervention by leveraging hostages. The United Nations Security Council condemned Iraq's actions, emphasizing the use of civilians as human shields as a grave violation of international law. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1987: Catalina Ponor, a renowned Romanian gymnast, was born on August 20, 1987. She is celebrated for her achievements in artistic gymnastics, particularly in the Olympics and World Championships. Ponor has won multiple medals, contributing significantly to Romania's gymnastics legacy. source: britannica.com
- 1986: On August 20, 1986, Patrick Henry Sherrill, a 44-year-old part-time letter carrier, entered the Edmond, Oklahoma, post office armed with three semi-automatic pistols. He locked the doors and began shooting, killing 14 employees and injuring six others before committing suicide. The incident remains the deadliest workplace shooting in U.S. history and led to the coining of the term "going postal." source: washingtonpost.com
- 1985: On August 20, 1985, Israel, through intermediaries including arms dealer Yaakov Nimrodi and financier Adnan Khashoggi, transferred 96 U.S.-made TOW anti-tank missiles to Iran via chartered aircraft. This operation was part of a covert effort to secure the release of American hostages held in Lebanon. The initial shipment did not result in the release of any hostages, although further shipments were made in subsequent months. source: cia.gov
- 1983: On August 20, 1983, the United Democratic Front (UDF) was launched at the Rocklands Community Hall in Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town. The event was attended by approximately 10,000 people, including delegates from 575 organizations, marking a significant moment in the anti-apartheid struggle. source: gov.za
- 1978: On August 20, 1978, a bus carrying El Al airline staff was ambushed in London by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The attackers opened fire with submachine guns and threw hand grenades, resulting in the death of flight attendant Irit Gidron and injuries to nine others. The terrorist responsible was later captured and sentenced to life imprisonment. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 1975: NASA's Viking 1 mission was launched on August 20, 1975, using a Titan IIIE-Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission aimed to explore Mars by deploying an orbiter and a lander, marking the first successful landing on another planet. The orbiter entered Mars orbit on June 19, 1976, and the lander touched down on July 20, 1976, returning the first photographs from the Martian surface. source: science.nasa.gov
What famous birthdays are on August 20?
On August 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![William J. Clinton]()
William J. Clinton (1946)William Jefferson Clinton, commonly known as Bill Clinton, is an American politician and attorney who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Renowned for leading the country through a period of economic prosperity, he is also remembered for his policy initiatives as well as personal and political controversies, notably the Monica Lewinsky scandal that … [bio]
![Jonathan Ke Quan]()
Jonathan Ke Quan (1971)Jonathan Ke Quan is a Vietnamese-American actor and stunt choreographer best known for his childhood roles as Short Round in 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' and Data in 'The Goonies.' He made a widely acclaimed comeback with his Oscar-winning performance in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.' [bio]
![Amy Adams]()
![Demi Lovato]()
Demi Lovato (1992)Demi Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful vocals, chart-topping hits, and advocacy for mental health. Rising to fame as a Disney Channel star, Lovato transitioned into a successful pop career with multiple platinum albums and outspoken public presence. [bio]
![Andrew Garfield]()
Andrew Garfield (1983)Andrew Garfield is a British-American actor known for his versatile performances in film, television, and theater. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Spider-Man in 'The Amazing Spider-Man' film series (2012–2014) and has also starred in critically acclaimed films such as 'The Social Network,' 'Hacksaw Ridge,' and 'Tick, Tick... Boom!'. [bio]
![Misha Collins]()
Misha Collins (1974)Misha Collins is an American actor, best known for his role as the angel Castiel on the television series 'Supernatural.' He has also worked as a director, philanthropist, and published poet. [bio]
![Fred Durst]()
Fred Durst (1970)Fred Durst is an American singer, songwriter, director, and actor best known as the frontman of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit. [bio]
![Isaac Hayes]()
Isaac Hayes (1942)Isaac Hayes was an American singer, songwriter, composer, and producer, celebrated for his influential contributions to soul music and soundtracks, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for his innovative work with Stax Records, as well as for composing the Oscar-winning theme for the film 'Shaft'. [bio]
![James Marsters]()
James Marsters (1962)James Marsters is an American actor, musician, and voice actor, best known for his role as Spike in the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and its spin-off 'Angel.' He has also appeared in numerous other television series, films, and stage productions, and is known for his musical work with the rock band Ghost of the Robot. [bio]
![Ron Paul]()
Ron Paul (1935)Ron Paul is an American physician, author, and retired politician, best known for serving as a U.S. Representative from Texas and as a presidential candidate. He is a prominent libertarian, advocating for limited government, individual liberties, and non-interventionist foreign policy. [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 August 20?
On August 20th the following celebrities died:
![Jerry Lewis]()
Jerry Lewis (2017)Jerry Lewis was an iconic American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker, and humanitarian. He became famous for his slapstick humor in movies and his partnership with Dean Martin. Lewis was also renowned for hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, which helped raise more than $2 billion for muscular dystrophy research over decades. [bio]
![Phyllis Diller]()
Phyllis Diller (2012)Phyllis Diller was an iconic American stand-up comedian, actress, and author renowned for her eccentric stage persona, wild hair, self-deprecating humor, and distinctive laugh. She rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, breaking barriers for women in comedy and paving the way for future generations. [bio]
![Elmore Leonard]()
Elmore Leonard (2013)Elmore Leonard was an acclaimed American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter, best known for his gritty crime fiction and distinctive dialogue. His work heavily influenced contemporary crime and thriller genres, with many of his novels adapted into films and television series. [bio]
![Ilona Massey]()
Ilona Massey (1974)Ilona Massey was a Hungarian-American actress, singer, and performer best known for her roles in Hollywood musicals and classic horror films during the 1930s and 1940s. She achieved fame for her glamorous persona and frequent performances opposite top stars of her era. [bio]
![Ulla Jacobsson]()
Ulla Jacobsson (1982)Ulla Jacobsson was a Swedish actress best known for her roles in international films during the 1950s and 1960s, most notably in 'One Summer of Happiness' and the war epic 'Zulu.' Her work brought critical acclaim both in Sweden and abroad. [bio]
![Hugo Pratt]()
Hugo Pratt (1995)Legendary Italian comic book artist and writer, creator of the iconic character Corto Maltese, who revolutionized the graphic novel genre.
![Joe Rosenthal]()
Joe Rosenthal (2006)Joe Rosenthal was a renowned American photographer famous for capturing the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph during World War II, one...
![Fred Hoyle]()
Fred Hoyle (2001)Renowned British astronomer who made significant contributions to stellar nucleosynthesis and proposed the controversial steady-state theory...
![Stephanie Tubbs Jones]()
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (2008)Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a pioneering African American politician who served as a U.S.
What day of the year is August 20?
August 20th marks the 232nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 233rd in case of leap years).
There are 133 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 20th is the 20th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 20?
On August 20th, 2026 the day of the week is Thursday.
| August | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 20?
The zodiac sign associated with August 20th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
