December 20: What Happened on This Day in History
December 20th marks the 354th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 355th in case of leap years). There are 11 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 20th in history, famous birthdays on December 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 20.
What happened on December 20?
Here's what happened on December 20th in history:
- 2021: Multiple countries implemented new COVID-19 vaccination and travel policies. Thailand approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5-11. India reported over 85% partial vaccination and 55% full vaccination. Israel banned travel to several countries due to the Omicron variant. Kuwait introduced new requirements for vaccinated travelers, including booster shots and self-isolation.
- 2014: On December 20, 2014, two New York Police Department officers were fatally shot in Brooklyn, New York. The officers were ambushed while sitting in their patrol car in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. The shooter, who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was identified as Ismaaiyl Brinsley. source: nytimes.com
- 2011: On December 19, 2011, North Korean state television announced the death of leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly died of a heart attack while traveling by train. His youngest son, Kim Jong Un, was named as his successor. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2004: On December 20, 2004, reports indicated a significant increase in sectarian violence in Iraq, with attacks targeting Shia and Sunni communities, leading to heightened tensions and casualties.
- 2002: On December 19, 2002, MIT and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research were recognized for their contributions to RNA interference (RNAi), a method of turning off genes using short pieces of RNA, named 'Breakthrough of the Year' by Science magazine. source: news.mit.edu
- 1999: On December 20, 1999, Portugal officially transferred sovereignty over Macau to China, ending 442 years of Portuguese rule. The handover ceremony marked the establishment of Macau as a Special Administrative Region under the "one country, two systems" framework, ensuring a high degree of autonomy for 50 years. source: reuters.com
- 1998: Alan Lloyd Hodgkin, a British physiologist and biophysicist, passed away on December 20, 1998. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1963 for his work on the ionic mechanisms involved in the excitation of nerve cells. source: britannica.com
- 1995: The play 'Paul Robeson' opened at the Longacre Theatre in New York City on December 20, 1995. The production, which ran until December 31, 1995, featured actor Avery Brooks in the title role. source: playbill.com
- 1985: Howard Cosell, a prominent sports broadcaster known for his distinctive style and outspoken personality, announced his retirement from television sports on December 20, 1985. His career spanned several decades, during which he became a significant figure in American sports journalism, particularly through his work on ABC's 'Monday Night Football.' Cosell's retirement marked the end of an era in sports broadcasting. source: nytimes.com
- 1981: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster took place off the coast of Cornwall, England, when the lifeboat Solomon Browne capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the stricken vessel Union Star during a severe storm. All eight crew members of the lifeboat lost their lives, marking it as one of the UK's most tragic maritime disasters. The event led to significant changes in lifeboat operations and safety protocols. source: bbc.com
What famous birthdays are on December 20?
On December 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Jonah Hill]()
Jonah Hill (1983)Jonah Hill is an acclaimed American actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and director, known for his dynamic roles in both comedic and dramatic films. [bio]
![David Cook]()
David Cook (1982)David Cook is an American rock singer-songwriter best known for winning the seventh season of "American Idol" in 2008. [bio]
![Jenny Agutter]()
Jenny Agutter (1952)Jenny Agutter is an acclaimed English actress known for her powerful performances in film, television, and on stage. She rose to fame as a child actress and is renowned for her roles in 'The Railway Children,' 'Logan's Run,' and 'An American Werewolf in London.' She remains active in British television, notably in 'Call the Midwife.' [bio]
![Bob Morley]()
Bob Morley (1984)Bob Morley is an Australian actor best known for his role as Bellamy Blake on The CW television series 'The 100.' He has also appeared in popular Australian television shows such as 'Home and Away' and 'Neighbours.' [bio]
![Irene Dunne]()
Irene Dunne (1898)Irene Dunne was an acclaimed American actress and singer, renowned for her work in both musical films and comedies during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her versatile performances earned her critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations. [bio]
![John Hillerman]()
John Hillerman (1932)John Hillerman was an American actor best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Jonathan Quayle Higgins III on the television series 'Magnum, P.I.'. His distinctive voice and refined demeanor made him a standout character actor in film and TV from the 1970s through the 1990s. [bio]
![Jacqueline Pearce]()
Jacqueline Pearce (1943)Jacqueline Pearce was a British actress best known for her distinctive roles in science fiction productions, most notably as the villainous Servalan in the BBC TV series 'Blake's 7.' [bio]
![George Roy Hill]()
George Roy Hill (1921)George Roy Hill was an acclaimed American film director best known for directing classic films such as 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'The Sting.' His movies are noted for their witty scripts, strong performances, and innovative storytelling. [bio]
![Audrey Totter]()
Audrey Totter (1918)Audrey Totter was an American actress known for her roles as a film noir femme fatale during the 1940s and 1950s. She was recognized for her performances in several postwar crime dramas and later transitioned to television roles. [bio]
![Nicole Maurey]()
Nicole Maurey (1925)Nicole Maurey was a French actress known for her work in both French and international films. Her career spanned several decades, during which she appeared in numerous film and television productions from the late 1940s through the 1990s. [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 December 20?
On December 20th the following celebrities died:
![Carl Sagan]()
Carl Sagan (1996)Carl Sagan was an American astronomer, astrophysicist, planetary scientist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator best known for popularizing science and his research on extraterrestrial life. [bio]
![John Steinbeck]()
John Steinbeck (1968)John Steinbeck was an American author best known for his influential novels depicting the plight of the working class during the Great Depression, including 'The Grapes of Wrath,' 'Of Mice and Men,' and 'East of Eden.' He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. [bio]
![Bobby Darin]()
Bobby Darin (1973)Bobby Darin was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor who became one of the most popular entertainers in the late 1950s and 1960s. He was known for a diverse style that included pop, jazz, rock and roll, and folk music. [bio]
![Brittany Murphy]()
Brittany Murphy (2009)Brittany Murphy was an American actress and singer best known for her roles in films such as 'Clueless', 'Girl, Interrupted', '8 Mile', and 'Sin City'. [bio]
![Thomas Newman]()
Thomas Newman (1991)Thomas Newman is an acclaimed American film composer and conductor, best known for his evocative scores for major Hollywood films. Renowned for his distinct musical style, Newman is one of the most respected composers in contemporary cinema. [bio]
![Madge Sinclair]()
Madge Sinclair (1995)Madge Sinclair was a Jamaican-born American actress known for her dynamic performances across film, television, and voice acting. She is particularly remembered for her roles in 'Coming to America' and as the voice of Sarabi in Disney's 'The Lion King.' Sinclair was celebrated for her dignified portrayals and became a pioneering Black actress in both television and cinema. [bio]
![Helene Heigh]()
![Léopold Sédar Senghor]()
Léopold Sédar Senghor (2001)Renowned Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician who served as the first president of Senegal, celebrated for his significant...
![Franco Harris]()
Franco Harris (2022)Legendary NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, famous for the 'Immaculate Reception' in the 1972 playoff game.
![Roy Disney]()
Roy Disney (1971)Roy Disney was the co-founder of The Walt Disney Company and the older brother of Walt Disney.
What day of the year is December 20?
December 20th marks the 354th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 355th in case of leap years).
There are 11 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 20th is the 20th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 20?
On December 20th, 2026 the day of the week is Sunday.
| December | 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 December 20?
The zodiac sign associated with December 20th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
