February 20: What Happened on This Day in History
February 20th marks the 51st day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 314 days (315 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 20th in history, famous birthdays on February 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 20.
What happened on February 20?
Here's what happened on February 20th in history:
- 2021: In a tragic escalation of the post-coup protests, security forces in Mandalay opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in two fatalities and injuring approximately 40 people. This marked the bloodiest day of protests since the military coup, highlighting the intense political tension in Myanmar.
- 2014: On February 20, 2014, the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv escalated into deadly violence, with at least 25 people killed as protesters and police clashed in the streets, marking a significant turning point in the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2011: On February 20, 2011, the Libyan civil war erupted into widespread violence. Anti-Gaddafi protesters clashed with government forces, leading to significant casualties and marking a significant escalation in the conflict. source: hrw.org
- 2004: On February 20, 2004, scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope confirmed the existence of dark energy, a mysterious force driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. source: nasa.gov
- 2002: On February 20, 2002, a unique palindrome date occurred, where the date reads the same forwards and backwards in the format MM-DD-YYYY. This phenomenon attracted attention from various media outlets and enthusiasts of numerology and patterns in dates. source: npr.org
- 1998: On February 20, 1998, American figure skater Tara Lipinski won the women's figure skating gold medal at the Nagano Winter Olympics, becoming the youngest Olympic gold medalist in the sport at 15 years and 255 days old. source: britannica.com
- 1988: On February 20, 1988, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast's Soviet of People's Deputies voted 110 to 17 to request the transfer of the region from Azerbaijan to Armenia. This unprecedented action led to mass demonstrations in Stepanakert and Yerevan, but Moscow rejected the Armenians' demands. The confrontation near Askeran resulted in casualties and marked the beginning of escalating tensions between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1985: On February 20, 1985, Minolta revolutionized photography by launching the Minolta Maxxum 7000, the world's first autofocus single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. This innovation allowed photographers to focus on subjects more easily and quickly, significantly changing the landscape of photography. The camera's advanced technology set a new standard in the industry, influencing future designs and features in camera development. source: popphoto.com
- 1981: On February 20, 1981, American sprinter James Sanford matched the 50-meter indoor world record by completing the distance in 5.61 seconds during a race in San Diego. This performance equaled the existing world record at that time. source: upi.com
- 1966: On February 20, 1966, Brigadier General James M. Stewart, a United States Air Force Reserve officer and renowned actor, flew his last combat mission over Vietnam. He participated in a 12-hour, 50-minute "Arc Light" bombing mission aboard a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress of the 736th Bombardment Squadron, 454th Bombardment Wing. source: thisdayinaviation.com
What famous birthdays are on February 20?
On February 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Rihanna]()
Rihanna (1988)Rihanna is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman recognized worldwide for her impact on the music and fashion industries. Rising to fame with her debut single "Pon de Replay" in 2005, she has since amassed numerous chart-topping hits, won multiple Grammy Awards, and launched successful ventures in fashion and cosmetics, notably her Fenty Beauty brand. [bio]
![Kurt Cobain]()
Kurt Cobain (1967)Kurt Cobain was an American musician and artist, best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the influential grunge band Nirvana. Cobain's raw songwriting, unique voice, and powerful performances were instrumental in bringing alternative rock and grunge music to mainstream international prominence in the early 1990s. [bio]
![Sidney Poitier]()
Sidney Poitier (1927)Sir Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, and ambassador who became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He is a pioneering figure in American cinema, renowned for breaking down racial barriers and for his roles in films that tackled social issues. [bio]
![Cindy Crawford]()
Cindy Crawford (1966)Cindy Crawford is an American supermodel and actress who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s. She is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and successful models of her generation, known for her distinctive mole above her lip and her appearances on hundreds of magazine covers. [bio]
![Gordon Brown]()
Gordon Brown (1951)Gordon Brown is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2010. He is a member of the Labour Party and held the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1997 to 2007 under Tony Blair. Brown is noted for his leadership during the global financial crisis and his work in economic and … [bio]
![Ivana Trump]()
Ivana Trump (1949)Ivana Trump was a Czech-American businesswoman, media personality, fashion designer, author, and former model. She was known for her marriage to Donald Trump, with whom she had three children, and for her own successful career in business, fashion, and media. [bio]
![Robert Altman]()
Robert Altman (1925)Robert Altman was an influential American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his distinctive style and innovative storytelling. He is celebrated for his ensemble casts, use of overlapping dialogue, and subversive approach to traditional Hollywood genres. [bio]
![Miles Teller]()
Miles Teller (1987)Miles Teller is an American actor known for his roles in films such as 'Whiplash,' 'The Spectacular Now,' and 'Top Gun: Maverick.' He has garnered critical acclaim for his performances and is recognized as one of the prominent actors of his generation. [bio]
![Mike Leigh]()
Mike Leigh (1943)Mike Leigh is a renowned English film and theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright best known for his unique style of improvisational film creation and acclaimed socially conscious dramas. [bio]
![Gloria Vanderbilt]()
Gloria Vanderbilt (1924)Gloria Vanderbilt was an American artist, author, actress, fashion designer, socialite, and heiress, known for her contributions to the fields of art and fashion, as well as for being a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family. [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 February 20?
On February 20th the following celebrities died:
![Alexander Haig]()
Alexander Haig (2010)Alexander Haig was a United States Army general and statesman, best known for serving as U.S. Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan and as White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Nixon and Ford. [bio]
![Sandra Dee]()
Sandra Dee (2005)Sandra Dee was an American actress best known for her roles in 1950s and 1960s films such as 'Gidget' and 'A Summer Place.' She became a teen idol and cultural icon, representing wholesome American youth. [bio]
![Dick York]()
![John Raitt]()
John Raitt (2005)John Raitt was an American actor and singer best known for his performances in musical theater, particularly for originating leading roles in classic Broadway productions such as 'Carousel,' 'The Pajama Game,' and 'Oklahoma!'. [bio]
![Max Schreck]()
Max Schreck (1936)Max Schreck was a German actor best known for his iconic role as Count Orlok in the silent horror film 'Nosferatu' (1922), directed by F. W. Murnau. His chilling and distinctive performance has made him a legendary figure in film history. [bio]
![Thurston Hall]()
![Ferruccio Lamborghini]()
Ferruccio Lamborghini (1993)Legendary Italian industrialist who founded Lamborghini, transforming from tractor manufacturing to creating world-renowned luxury sports...
![Hunter S. Thompson]()
Hunter S. Thompson (2005)Pioneering American journalist and author who founded gonzo journalism, a radical style of first-person reporting that blurred lines between...
![Percy Grainger]()
Percy Grainger (1961)Australian-born composer and pianist known for his innovative musical compositions.
![Clarence Nash]()
Clarence Nash (1985)Famous Disney voice actor best known for creating the iconic voice of Donald Duck, a character he voiced for over five decades until his...
What day of the year is February 20?
February 20th marks the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 314 days remaining until the end of the year (or 315 days in case of leap years).
February 20th is the 20th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 20?
The zodiac sign associated with February 20th is Pisces according to the Western Zodiac.
