November 20: What Happened on This Day in History
November 20th marks the 324th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 325th in case of leap years). There are 41 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on November 20th in history, famous birthdays on November 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to November 20.
What happened on November 20?
Here's what happened on November 20th in history:
- 2022: The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar began under intense international scrutiny due to serious human rights concerns. The tournament faced widespread criticism for alleged labor rights violations, treatment of migrant workers, and potential ethical breaches in the bidding and preparation process.
- 2020: California experienced a critical surge in COVID-19 cases, reporting 13,005 new infections in a 24-hour period. The state also recorded 4,750 hospitalizations, marking the highest numbers since August and signaling a severe escalation of the pandemic's impact.
- 2019: Two jail guards were charged with falsifying records and neglecting their duties in connection with Jeffrey Epstein's death. The guards allegedly fell asleep and failed to perform required checks on Epstein, who died in his jail cell. source: bbc.com
- 2007: On November 20, 2007, France experienced widespread strikes and protests, primarily led by trade unions, against proposed pension reforms. The demonstrations disrupted public transportation and other services, reflecting public opposition to the government's planned changes to the pension system. source: bbc.com
- 2003: On November 20, 2003, Michael Jackson was arrested on multiple counts of child molestation. He was released on a $3 million bail after being booked and fingerprinted. Jackson denied the charges, stating they were lies. source: abc.net.au
- 2001: The Robert F. Kennedy Justice Department Building was dedicated on November 20, 2001. This event honored the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy and his contributions to civil rights and justice in America. source: justice.gov
- 1996: A devastating fire erupted in the 16-story Garley Building on Nathan Road in Kowloon, Hong Kong, resulting in 41 fatalities and 81 injuries. The fire is considered the worst building fire in Hong Kong during peacetime. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1993: On November 20, 1993, Avioimpex Flight 110, a Macedonian passenger aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from Skopje International Airport. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 116 people on board, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the region. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1973: During The Who's concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, drummer Keith Moon collapsed after ingesting tranquilizers and brandy. The band continued without drums until Pete Townshend asked the audience if anyone could play the drums. Nineteen-year-old Scot Halpin volunteered and performed three songs with the band. source: culturesonar.com
- 1971: On November 20, 1971, the United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, a primary location for nuclear weapons testing from 1951 to 1992. The Nevada Test Site hosted over 920 nuclear detonations during this period. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on November 20?
On November 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Joe Biden]()
Joe Biden (1942)Joe Biden is an American politician who is currently serving as the 46th President of the United States. He previously served as the 47th Vice President from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama and was a United States Senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009. With one of the longest careers in U.S. federal politics, Biden is known for … [bio]
![Richard Dawson]()
Richard Dawson (1932)Richard Dawson was a British-American actor, comedian, and television host, best known for hosting the game show 'Family Feud' and for his role as Corporal Peter Newkirk on the TV sitcom 'Hogan's Heroes.' [bio]
![Robert Byrd]()
Robert Byrd (1917)Robert Byrd was a long-serving American politician who represented West Virginia in the United States Senate from 1959 to 2010, making him the longest-serving U.S. senator in history. A Democrat, Byrd held several prominent leadership roles, including Senate Majority Leader and President pro tempore of the Senate. [bio]
![Ming-Na Wen]()
Ming-Na Wen (1963)Ming-Na Wen is a Chinese-American actress known for her roles in television and film, most notably as the voice of Mulan in Disney's animated film and as Melinda May in 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' She has had a significant impact on Asian representation in Hollywood. [bio]
![Bo Derek]()
![Reid Scott]()
Reid Scott (1977)Reid Scott is an American actor best known for his roles as Brendan 'Brando' Dorff on the TBS comedy series 'My Boys' and as Dan Egan on the HBO political satire 'Veep.' He has also appeared in several films and other television productions. [bio]
![Judy Canova]()
Judy Canova (1913)Judy Canova was an American comedienne, actress, singer, and radio personality who gained fame in vaudeville, radio, film, and television from the 1930s to the 1950s. Known for her comedic 'country bumpkin' persona, Canova was a popular entertainer, especially through her long-running radio show, 'The Judy Canova Show.' [bio]
![Joel McHale]()
Joel McHale (1971)Joel McHale is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television host. He is best known for hosting 'The Soup' and for his role as Jeff Winger on the NBC sitcom 'Community.' [bio]
![Sean Young]()
Sean Young (1959)Sean Young is an American actress best known for her roles in films from the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly her portrayal of Rachael in the sci-fi classic Blade Runner (1982). She has also appeared in a range of other popular films and has been a notable figure in Hollywood for her distinctive performances. [bio]
![Kaye Ballard]()
Kaye Ballard (1925)Kaye Ballard was an American actress, comedian, and singer, best known for her work on stage, film, and television. Renowned for her comedic timing and dynamic stage presence, Ballard made significant contributions to the entertainment industry over her decades-long career. [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 November 20?
On November 20th the following celebrities died:
![Leo Tolstoy]()
Leo Tolstoy (1910)Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer, philosopher, and social reformer, widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time. His masterpieces 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina' are celebrated for their realistic depiction of Russian society and their profound psychological insight. Tolstoy's works have had a vast influence on literature and philosophy worldwide. [bio]
![Robert Altman]()
Robert Altman (2006)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]
![Keith Michell]()
Keith Michell (2015)Keith Michell was an acclaimed Australian actor and singer best known for his distinguished stage and television performances, particularly for his portrayal of King Henry VIII in the series 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII.' [bio]
![Lynn Bari]()
![Queen Alexandra]()
![Wataru Misaka]()
Wataru Misaka (2019)Groundbreaking Japanese-American basketball player who broke racial barriers as the first non-white player in professional basketball,...
![Leonardo Sciascia]()
Leonardo Sciascia (1989)Renowned Sicilian writer and intellectual who significantly contributed to Italian literature by exploring themes of social justice, mafia,...
![Eugene Kleiner]()
Eugene Kleiner (2003)Pioneering venture capitalist who co-founded Kleiner Perkins, a legendary Silicon Valley investment firm that played a crucial role in...
![Robert Palmer]()
Robert Palmer (1997)Iconic British rock and pop singer known for hits like 'Addicted to Love' and his work with the band Power Station.
![Amintore Fanfani]()
Amintore Fanfani (1999)Prominent Italian Christian Democrat politician who served multiple times as Prime Minister of Italy and was a key figure in post-World War...
What day of the year is November 20?
November 20th marks the 324th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 325th in case of leap years).
There are 41 days remaining until the end of the year.
November 20th is the 20th day of the month of November.
What day of the week is November 20?
On November 20th, 2026 the day of the week is Friday.
| November | 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 | ||||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day November 20?
The zodiac sign associated with November 20th is Scorpio according to the Western Zodiac.
