July 20: What Happened on This Day in History
July 20th marks the 201st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 202nd in case of leap years). There are 164 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on July 20th in history, famous birthdays on July 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to July 20.
What happened on July 20?
Here's what happened on July 20th in history:
- 2021: The United States, NATO members, and other international states formally accused China's Ministry of State Security of employing 'contract criminal hackers' to infiltrate Microsoft email systems, escalating international tensions in the realm of cybersecurity.
- 2014: On July 20, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board. The incident heightened international tensions and led to calls for an investigation. source: bbc.com
- 2011: On July 20, 2011, the phone hacking scandal involving News International intensified as new allegations emerged. The scandal prompted widespread outrage and led to significant political and legal repercussions in the UK. source: theguardian.com
- 2004: On July 20, 2004, Human Rights Watch published a report documenting atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region, including systematic attacks on civilians by government forces and allied militias. The report called for accountability and international intervention. source: hrw.org
- 2002: The G8 Summit was held in Genoa, Italy, where violent protests led to the death of a protester.
- 1999: The Chinese government began a campaign against the spiritual movement Falun Gong in July 1999, labeling it a cult. This crackdown led to widespread arrests and human rights abuses against practitioners, sparking international condemnation. source: bbc.com
- 1995: On July 20, 1995, Helmut Gernsheim, a prominent figure in the field of photography, discussed the recognition of photography as a legitimate academic discipline. His contributions helped shape the study and appreciation of photography in academic settings. source: britannica.com
- 1988: On July 20, 1988, the Democratic National Convention officially nominated Michael Dukakis for president and Lloyd Bentsen for vice president. This event was a pivotal moment in the 1988 election cycle. source: nytimes.com
- 1985: On July 20, 1985, President Pieter W. Botha declared a state of emergency in 36 magisterial districts, including areas in the Eastern Cape and the Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vaal (PWV) region. This measure granted police and military forces extensive powers to detain individuals without formal charges, impose curfews, and censor media coverage. The declaration aimed to address escalating violence in black townships, which had resulted in approximately 450 deaths over the preceding ten months. The state of emergency marked the first such declaration in South Africa since 1960. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1981: On July 20, 1981, Somali Airlines Flight 40, a Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu International Airport en route to Hargeisa. The plane encountered severe turbulence and heavy rain near Balad, leading to a loss of control and structural failure. All 50 occupants, including 44 passengers and 6 crew members, perished. This remains the deadliest aviation accident in Somalia's history. source: upi.com
What famous birthdays are on July 20?
On July 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Natalie Wood]()
Natalie Wood (1938)Natalie Wood was a prominent American actress who achieved success as a child, teenage, and adult performer. She is best known for her roles in classic films such as 'Rebel Without a Cause,' 'West Side Story,' and 'Splendor in the Grass.' Her career spanned over four decades until her untimely and controversial death in 1981. [bio]
![Chris Cornell]()
Chris Cornell (1964)Chris Cornell was an influential American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and dynamic stage presence, Cornell played a major role in the development and popularization of the grunge movement in the early 1990s. [bio]
![Gisele Bündchen]()
Gisele Bündchen (1980)Gisele Bündchen is a Brazilian supermodel, actress, and businesswoman. She gained international fame in the late 1990s and 2000s as one of the highest-paid models in the world and was a prominent Victoria's Secret Angel. [bio]
![Sandra Oh]()
![Terri Irwin]()
Terri Irwin (1964)Terri Irwin is an American-Australian naturalist, conservationist, and author best known as the widow of Steve Irwin and co-owner of Australia Zoo. She has played a significant role in wildlife conservation efforts in Australia and worldwide. [bio]
![Tim Ferriss]()
Tim Ferriss (1977)Tim Ferriss is an American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker best known for his bestselling books on productivity and lifestyle optimization, particularly 'The 4-Hour Workweek.' He has also gained prominence as a podcast host and angel investor. [bio]
![Josh Holloway]()
Josh Holloway (1969)Josh Holloway is an American actor and model best known for his role as James 'Sawyer' Ford on the popular television series 'Lost.' He has appeared in a number of film and television productions over his career. [bio]
![Ray Allen]()
Ray Allen (1975)Ray Allen is an American former professional basketball player, widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat during his 18-season NBA career, earning two NBA championships and ten NBA All-Star selections. [bio]
![Judy Greer]()
Judy Greer (1975)Judy Greer is an American actress and director, known for her versatile roles in film and television, often playing comedic or supporting characters. She has appeared in both independent films and major Hollywood productions. [bio]
![John Francis Daley]()
John Francis Daley (1985)John Francis Daley is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and musician, best known for his roles in the television series 'Freaks and Geeks' and 'Bones', as well as for his work as a co-writer on films such as 'Horrible Bosses' and 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'. [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 July 20?
On July 20th the following celebrities died:
![Bruce Lee]()
Bruce Lee (1973)Bruce Lee was a legendary Chinese-American martial artist, actor, director, and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the most influential martial artists of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century. He is credited with revolutionizing the representation of Asians in American cinema and popularizing martial arts around the world through his films and teachings. [bio]
![Geeta Dutt]()
Geeta Dutt (1991)Geeta Dutt was a celebrated Indian playback singer active during the golden era of Bollywood, renowned for her melodic and versatile singing style. She rose to prominence in the 1940s and 1950s, contributing iconic songs to Hindi cinema and Bengali music. [bio]
![James Doohan]()
James Doohan (2005)James Doohan was a Canadian actor and voice actor best known for portraying Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott in the original 'Star Trek' television series and subsequent films. Doohan's iconic portrayal of the starship Enterprise's chief engineer made him a beloved figure among science fiction fans. [bio]
![Mildred Harris]()
Mildred Harris (1944)Mildred Harris was an American actress who began her career in the silent film era and became a notable child star before transitioning into adult roles. Known for her brief marriage to Charlie Chaplin, she appeared in more than 100 films throughout her career. [bio]
![Franklin Pangborn]()
![Linda Stirling]()
![Chester Bennington]()
Chester Bennington (2017)Lead singer of the iconic rock band Linkin Park, known for his powerful vocal range and emotional performances.
![Lucian Freud]()
Lucian Freud (2011)Lucian Freud was a renowned British painter known for his raw, psychologically intense figurative art and significant influence on...
![Andrew Lang]()
Andrew Lang (1912)Scots novelist, poet, literary critic, and contributor in the field of anthropology.
![Frank Reynolds]()
Frank Reynolds (1983)Frank Reynolds was an American journalist and war correspondent known for his work in broadcast news during the mid-20th century.
What day of the year is July 20?
July 20th marks the 201st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 202nd in case of leap years).
There are 164 days remaining until the end of the year.
July 20th is the 20th day of the month of July.
What day of the week is July 20?
On July 20th, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.
| July | 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 July 20?
The zodiac sign associated with July 20th is Cancer according to the Western Zodiac.
