This article explores significant historical events that occurred on July 20th, highlighting their impact on global history.
From medieval battles and political treaties to landmark achievements in space exploration, each event has shaped the course of human history in profound ways.
The selected incidents cover a broad spectrum, showcasing pivotal moments of technological innovation, shifts in power dynamics, and cultural milestones.
July 20th – On this Day in History
1304 – Fall of Stirling Castle during the Wars of Scottish Independence
The Fall of Stirling Castle marked a significant moment during the Wars of Scottish Independence. On July 20, 1304, after a prolonged siege, Edward I of England successfully captured Stirling Castle, the last stronghold of the Scottish rebels.
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The siege demonstrated Edward’s determination and the technological advancement in siege warfare, notably through the use of the Warwolf, a massive trebuchet.
The fall of the castle effectively ended organized Scottish resistance for a period and solidified English control over Scotland, although this control would be contested in subsequent years.
1402 – Battle of Ankara where Tamerlane defeats Bayezid I of the Ottoman Empire
The Battle of Ankara, fought on July 20, 1402, was a pivotal clash between Tamerlane and the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. Tamerlane’s forces decisively defeated the Ottomans, capturing Sultan Bayezid I and dramatically halting the expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
The battle led to the temporary disintegration of Ottoman territories, as Bayezid’s sons battled for control over the fractured empire. This defeat significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, postponing the Ottoman threats to Europe for several decades.
1654 – Signing of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty
On July 20, 1654, Portugal and England signed a treaty that strengthened their maritime and commercial alliances against Spanish hegemony.
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The treaty was crucial for Portugal, as it secured military support from England, which was necessary for maintaining its independence from Spain and protecting its colonial possessions.
In return, England gained significant trading privileges, including rights to acquire sugar from Brazil, which was then a Portuguese colony, thereby enhancing its economic interests in the Atlantic and beyond.
1715 – The Riot Act takes effect in England
The Riot Act was enacted on July 20, 1715, in England, in response to the frequent public disturbances. This Act authorized local authorities to declare any group of twelve or more people unlawfully assembled to disperse or face treason charges.
The Riot Act became a symbol of authority against public disorder, allowing for swift and often brutal suppression of perceived rebellions.
It remained a tool of law enforcement for over a century, reflecting the government’s approach to handling civil unrest during a period of significant social and political change.
1810 – Declaration of independence from Spain by citizens of Bogotá, New Granada
The independence of Bogotá, celebrated on July 20, 1810, marked the beginning of the liberation movement against Spanish rule in the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which is modern-day Colombia.
The event was sparked by a revolt against Spanish authority triggered by a fight over a flower vase, which is now a legendary symbol in Colombian history.
This uprising led to the establishment of an independent junta in Bogotá and inspired further revolts across the region, contributing significantly to the broader South American independence movements led by figures like Simón Bolívar.
1866 – Battle of Lissa during the Austro-Prussian War
The Battle of Lissa took place on July 20, 1866, during the Austro-Prussian War, although it was primarily a naval conflict between Italy and Austria. The battle was significant as it was one of the first major sea battles involving ironclad ships.
The Austrian fleet, under the command of Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, decisively defeated the Italian fleet despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
The victory at Lissa was a notable boost to Austrian naval prestige and demonstrated the effectiveness of ramming tactics, which led to a reevaluation of naval strategies worldwide.
1871 – British Columbia joins the confederation of Canada
On July 20, 1871, British Columbia became the sixth province to join the Canadian Confederation. This was a culmination of negotiations involving economic promises from the Canadian government, including the commitment to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, which would connect British Columbia to the eastern provinces.
This inclusion was crucial for Canada, as it extended its territory to the Pacific Ocean, providing access to Asian markets and securing the region against American expansionist threats.
1881 – Sioux leader Sitting Bull surrenders to U.S. federal troops
After several years of resistance as a prominent leader during the Great Sioux War, Sitting Bull surrendered to U.S. federal troops on July 20, 1881. His surrender marked the end of the major Native American resistance in the northern Plains.
Sitting Bull was a respected leader among the Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux and had famously resisted the U.S. government’s policies toward Native Americans. His surrender was motivated by the hardships faced by his people, who were starving and exhausted from years of conflict.
1903 – Ford Motor Company ships its first car
On July 20, 1903, the Ford Motor Company shipped its first car, the Ford Model A. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of automotive industry. The Model A was a simple, yet reliable vehicle that was affordable for many Americans, paving the way for the mass production of automobiles.
The success of the Model A helped establish Ford as a key player in the automotive industry and led to the development of the moving assembly line technique of mass production.
1922 – League of Nations awards mandates of Togoland and Tanganyika
On this day in 1922, the League of Nations formally awarded mandates for Togoland and Tanganyika following World War I. Togoland was divided into French and British administrative zones, while Tanganyika was placed under British administration.
These mandates were intended to prepare the territories for self-rule and eventual independence under the supervision of the League of Nations. The decisions reflected the influence and interests of the colonial powers in the post-war restructuring of territories previously controlled by the defeated German Empire.
1932 – U.S. troops disperse the “Bonus Army” in Washington, D.C
On July 20, 1932, the U.S. Army, under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, forcibly dispersed the “Bonus Army,” a group of World War I veterans who had gathered in Washington, D.C.
These veterans were demanding early cash redemption of their service certificates to alleviate the economic hardships of the Great Depression.
The intervention by the U.S. Army, which involved cavalry, infantry, and tanks, led to violent clashes, resulting in injuries and the death of two veterans.
This event significantly damaged public and political support for the Hoover administration, influencing the outcome of the 1932 presidential election.
1935 – Major flood in Switzerland kills 70 people
A catastrophic flood occurred in Switzerland on July 20, 1935, following torrential rains. The natural disaster primarily affected the Valais region, causing widespread devastation.
The sudden deluge led to severe flooding that swept away homes, bridges, and farmland, claiming the lives of approximately 70 people.
This tragic event is remembered as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Swiss history, leading to significant changes in flood management and disaster preparedness policies in the country.
1944 – Adolf Hitler survives an assassination attempt
On July 20, 1944, Adolf Hitler survived an assassination attempt known as the July Plot, executed by German Army Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and other conspirators. The plan involved a bomb placed in a briefcase under a table at Hitler’s headquarters in the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia.
Although the bomb exploded, Hitler only sustained minor injuries due to the placement of the briefcase, which was moved behind a table leg, deflecting much of the blast. The failed assassination led to the execution of about 4,980 people, dramatically tightening security and repressions within Nazi Germany.
1951 – Assassination of King Abdullah I of Jordan
King Abdullah I of Jordan was assassinated on July 20, 1951, during a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. A Palestinian nationalist, motivated by opposition to Abdullah’s policies, particularly his negotiations with Israel, shot him.
His assassination was a significant turning point in Middle Eastern politics, affecting the Jordanian transition of power and the broader Arab-Israeli conflict. Abdullah’s grandson, King Hussein, who was with him at the time, narrowly escaped injury and later became king.
1960 – Sirimavo Bandaranaike becomes the world’s first female elected head of government
Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was elected as Prime Minister on July 20, 1960, becoming the world’s first female head of government. Her rise to power followed the assassination of her husband, Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike.
Her leadership was notable for her focus on social policies and promoting agriculture and education, although her tenure was also marked by accusations of authoritarianism.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s election was a milestone in the global political landscape, challenging traditional gender roles and inspiring women worldwide to pursue leadership roles.
1969 – Apollo 11 moon landing by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon, marking a monumental milestone in the history of space exploration. This event fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 promise of sending an American safely to the Moon before the end of the decade.
The mission was broadcast on live TV to a worldwide audience. Neil Armstrong’s first step onto the lunar surface was immortalized by his words, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The success of Apollo 11 not only demonstrated the United States’ technological superiority during the Cold War but also inspired generations to dream about the possibilities of space travel and exploration.
1974 – Turkish forces invade Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus commenced on July 20, 1974, following a coup d’etat on the island, which was aimed at annexation by Greece. This military intervention, codenamed Operation Attila, was justified by Turkey as a peace operation to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority.
The invasion led to a prolonged conflict and resulted in the partition of Cyprus into the predominantly Greek South and the Turkish North, a division that remains to this day. The conflict displaced thousands of Cypriots and had significant geopolitical ramifications, straining Greek-Turkish relations and affecting NATO dynamics.
1976 – Viking 1 lander successfully lands on Mars
On July 20, 1976, NASA’s Viking 1 lander successfully touched down on Mars, making it the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft safely on the surface of Mars and return images.
The primary objectives of Viking 1 were to obtain high-resolution images of the Martian surface, characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface, and search for evidence of life.
Viking 1, along with its counterpart Viking 2, provided critical data that underscored our understanding of Mars as a cold, dry planet with a volcanic past.
1982 – Hyde Park and Regent’s Park bombings by the IRA
The Hyde Park and Regent’s Park bombings occurred on July 20, 1982, when the Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated two bombs in London, targeting members of the British military. The attacks killed 11 soldiers and injured dozens, including civilians.
The first bomb exploded during a military band performance in Regent’s Park, and the second targeted a cavalry unit in Hyde Park as it participated in a ceremonial changing of the guard.
These attacks were part of the IRA’s campaign to withdraw British forces from Northern Ireland and were among the most high-profile attacks carried out by the IRA on mainland Britain during the Troubles.
2012 – Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting
On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.” The gunman, wearing tactical clothing and armed with multiple firearms, opened fire on the audience, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others.
This tragic event shocked the nation and reignited debates over gun control and mental health issues in the United States. The Aurora shooting remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history and has had a lasting impact on security protocols in public venues, particularly movie theaters.