Updated Daily
Today In History
November 20th
What Happened on the day you were born on This day in History
For Those With Birthdays 20th November or looking for specific year these years are Included on this date 1922, 1931, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1953, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, Born This Day,
This Day In History Is Updated Every Day
Research: Our research for This Day In History comes from 6 main sources
1. Time spent in the Local Library checking old newspapers.
2. BBC News Archives
3. New York Time Archives
4. Wikipedia ( We do double check )
5. Research from History books which we have a large collection
6. The People History itself
Because of our concerns over accuracy we always use at least 2 sources for verification before we include a news story
Each day we feature between 1 and 3 videos that are related to that days news stories, using this format we believe we can provide an informative and entertaining format to see the news that was important or interesting from This Day In History.
As a general rule we gather about 20 plus news stories for each day and we are always spending time to improve each day. We also include our Born on This Day with a small article on the persons achievements or the reason they are known.
We do include some popular culture references if we felt those items would have been featured on nightly news or in national newspapers. A good example would be Who Shot JR? on the TV Soap Dallas as the speculation caused a major stir around the world.
We have tried very hard to find news stories from around the world and not be to US centric but as America is the largest most populated western country in the world it still does provide a significant amount of the news featured. The mix is generally slightly more news stories from around the world than America so for example if we have a total of 25 news stories we would expect 15 from around the world and 10 from the United States, but this can vary greatly for any one day.
In general we only feature natural and other disasters which would make the nightly news on our This Day In History, this does not mean the other natural disasters that may cause the loss of life of just a few poor souls is not important.
Also remember if you wish to find out what happened on the day you were born click on the corresponding month and then go to the specific day.
The page is made up from 3 RSS feeds
1. The main RSS feed for This Day in History which would be suitable for delivery to your e-mail in box.
2. Our Born This Day which is quite small and includes a video related to that person included.
3. A much smaller This Day In History RSS feed which includes only 3 or 4 news stories ideal for including on your blog or web site through an RSS display tool.
November 20th
What Happened on the day you were born on This day in History
For Those With Birthdays 20th November or looking for specific year these years are Included on this date 1922, 1931, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1953, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, Born This Day,
1992 Great Britain Windsor Castle
20th November, 1992: Fire damages a major part of Windsor Castle and a number of important works of art, books and furniture are lost some through fire damage but also many through water damage caused by the 35 fire engines that fought the fire . The 900 year old castle is about 20 miles west of London in the city of Windsor and is used by the queen as a weekend retreat.
20th November, 1992: Fire damages a major part of Windsor Castle and a number of important works of art, books and furniture are lost some through fire damage but also many through water damage caused by the 35 fire engines that fought the fire . The 900 year old castle is about 20 miles west of London in the city of Windsor and is used by the queen as a weekend retreat.
1995 UK Diana Princess
20th November, 1995 : Diana Princess is interviewed on British Television by Martin Bashir for the Panorama programme about her life with the Royals, her separation and Prince Charles relationship and affair with his long term friend Camilla Parker-Bowles . During the one hour interview the princes admitted to an affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt. For the first time on television she also talked about her struggle with depression and bulimia. Following the Revelations of both Princess Diana on Panorama and an earlier interview by Prince Charles with Jonathan Dimbleby where he admitted having an affair they were formally divorced with a decree nisi on 28 August 1996.
20th November, 1995 : Diana Princess is interviewed on British Television by Martin Bashir for the Panorama programme about her life with the Royals, her separation and Prince Charles relationship and affair with his long term friend Camilla Parker-Bowles . During the one hour interview the princes admitted to an affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt. For the first time on television she also talked about her struggle with depression and bulimia. Following the Revelations of both Princess Diana on Panorama and an earlier interview by Prince Charles with Jonathan Dimbleby where he admitted having an affair they were formally divorced with a decree nisi on 28 August 1996.
1945 Germany Nuremburg Trials
20th November, 1945: The Nuremburg Trials with an International Military Tribunal made up of four judges one from each country United States, Soviet Union, Britain and France begin when charges against twenty of Germany's Nazi leaders who have been charged with war crimes including committing crimes against humanity.
20th November, 1945: The Nuremburg Trials with an International Military Tribunal made up of four judges one from each country United States, Soviet Union, Britain and France begin when charges against twenty of Germany's Nazi leaders who have been charged with war crimes including committing crimes against humanity.
1922 Germany Cabinet Resigns
20th November, 1922: A week prior to this date, the cabinet serving under Chancellor Wirth had resigned. This had caused a governmental crisis which had been resolved to some extent, but not entirely .
20th November, 1922: A week prior to this date, the cabinet serving under Chancellor Wirth had resigned. This had caused a governmental crisis which had been resolved to some extent, but not entirely .
1931 Italy Peace keeping
20th November, 1931: Both the countries of Italy and American joined in their efforts towards peace-keeping. They were said to be of “One Idea” regarding this matter.
20th November, 1931: Both the countries of Italy and American joined in their efforts towards peace-keeping. They were said to be of “One Idea” regarding this matter.
1944 World War II Austria
20th November, 1944: Russian and American-made tanks had advanced on routes into the countries of Austria and Czechoslovakia. They were headed towards Lucenec, one of the most prominent Nazi communication locations in this region.
20th November, 1944: Russian and American-made tanks had advanced on routes into the countries of Austria and Czechoslovakia. They were headed towards Lucenec, one of the most prominent Nazi communication locations in this region.
1947 Great Britain Queen Marries
20th November, 1947: Princess Elizabeth, the future queen of England, marries Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey.
20th November, 1947: Princess Elizabeth, the future queen of England, marries Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey.
1953 Poland Calls For Support
20th November, 1953: The country of Poland called upon neighboring countries for support. Part of this support would be granted by Germany. There was concern that this new army would be German-dominated and cause a new world war. Communications were requested of countries such as France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands regarding the gathering of troops. The country of Poland also joined Russia in the demand for a “Big Five” conference, concerning the future of Germany.
20th November, 1953: The country of Poland called upon neighboring countries for support. Part of this support would be granted by Germany. There was concern that this new army would be German-dominated and cause a new world war. Communications were requested of countries such as France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands regarding the gathering of troops. The country of Poland also joined Russia in the demand for a “Big Five” conference, concerning the future of Germany.
1959 U.S.A. Ford Anglia 105E
20th November, 1959: The first British Ford to be marketed to Americans was the Ford Anglia 105E with a new overhead valve engine and a four-speed gearbox, it was like nothing else on the road with it distinctive rear-sloping back window, frog-like headlights, and stylish colors.
20th November, 1959: The first British Ford to be marketed to Americans was the Ford Anglia 105E with a new overhead valve engine and a four-speed gearbox, it was like nothing else on the road with it distinctive rear-sloping back window, frog-like headlights, and stylish colors.
1960 Peru Tidal Waves
20th November, 1960: Violent tidal waves had swept through Peru. Two people were killed and nine people were listed as missing.
20th November, 1960: Violent tidal waves had swept through Peru. Two people were killed and nine people were listed as missing.
1962 U.S.A. U.S. Blockade Cuba Ends
20th November, 1962: President Kennedy, calls off the U.S. blockade of Cuba in return for promised removal of Soviet bombers from the island.
20th November, 1962: President Kennedy, calls off the U.S. blockade of Cuba in return for promised removal of Soviet bombers from the island.
1962 U.S.A. Discrimination in Housing
20th November, 1962: President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order 11063, which should bring an end to discrimination in housing. The order was never enforced as each individual housing and funding agency were left to police themselves,
20th November, 1962: President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order 11063, which should bring an end to discrimination in housing. The order was never enforced as each individual housing and funding agency were left to police themselves,
1968 U.S.A. Mine Explosion
20th November, 1968: Methane gas explosions in a West Virginia coal mine kills 78 men .
20th November, 1968: Methane gas explosions in a West Virginia coal mine kills 78 men .
1973 Yugoslavia Khadafy
20th November, 1973: Col. Moammar Khadafy, the young leader of Libya, criticized the six-point Middle East peace plan initiated by the United States. Khadafy was pro-war, and thought the only other possible solution to the problems Middle East was to let Palestinians return to their homes. He also proposed that Jews entering Israel after 1948 return to their other countries of which they were a citizen. He thought this was the only solution for peace.
20th November, 1973: Col. Moammar Khadafy, the young leader of Libya, criticized the six-point Middle East peace plan initiated by the United States. Khadafy was pro-war, and thought the only other possible solution to the problems Middle East was to let Palestinians return to their homes. He also proposed that Jews entering Israel after 1948 return to their other countries of which they were a citizen. He thought this was the only solution for peace.
1974 U.S.A. AT&T
20th November, 1974: The Justice Department files an anti-trust suit against the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. AT&T in an attempt to break up the corporation.
20th November, 1974: The Justice Department files an anti-trust suit against the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. AT&T in an attempt to break up the corporation.
1975 Spain Francisco Franco
20th November, 1975: Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Western Europe's last surviving dictator, dies after a month-long battle for life.
20th November, 1975: Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Western Europe's last surviving dictator, dies after a month-long battle for life.
1978 UK Jeremy Thorpe
20th November, 1978 : The former leader of the Liberal party Jeremy Thorpe is charged with David Holmes, George Deakin and John le Mesurier of conspiracy to murder Jeremy Thorpe's former homosexual lover Norman Scott to protect his political career.
20th November, 1978 : The former leader of the Liberal party Jeremy Thorpe is charged with David Holmes, George Deakin and John le Mesurier of conspiracy to murder Jeremy Thorpe's former homosexual lover Norman Scott to protect his political career.
1979 Saudi Arabia Muslims Seize Grand Mosque
20th November, 1979 : 400 Armed Sunni Islamic Muslims, fundamentalist dissidents of the Al-Masjid, Seize the Grand Mosque taking pilgrims present for the annual hajj ( pilgrimage to Mecca )hostage. The attack came on the final day of the hajj, and due to the large number ( fifty thousand worshippers ) most are released but the insurgents kept over 6,000 hostages. Saudi authorities evacuate the city of Mecca and over the next two weeks a number of attacks were mounted on the Grand Mosque resulting in the death of many insurgents, National Guard members and hostages. In early December after more than 2 weeks of shootings the remaining members of the group finally surrender after more than 250 are killed.
20th November, 1979 : 400 Armed Sunni Islamic Muslims, fundamentalist dissidents of the Al-Masjid, Seize the Grand Mosque taking pilgrims present for the annual hajj ( pilgrimage to Mecca )hostage. The attack came on the final day of the hajj, and due to the large number ( fifty thousand worshippers ) most are released but the insurgents kept over 6,000 hostages. Saudi authorities evacuate the city of Mecca and over the next two weeks a number of attacks were mounted on the Grand Mosque resulting in the death of many insurgents, National Guard members and hostages. In early December after more than 2 weeks of shootings the remaining members of the group finally surrender after more than 250 are killed.
1985 Switzerland US Soviet Meeting
20th November, 1985: Soviet Leader Gorbachev and U.S. President Reagan just concluded their talks, some of which were semi-private and others which were public. Staff members worked until all hours of the night deciding what to make of these discussions. On the same day, U.S. and Soviet First Ladies Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev buried a message in a Red Cross Building cornerstone. This action was done to symbolize the promotion of peace and harmony. Soviet-U.S. Peace Talks Concluded, Outcome being Analyzed
20th November, 1985: Soviet Leader Gorbachev and U.S. President Reagan just concluded their talks, some of which were semi-private and others which were public. Staff members worked until all hours of the night deciding what to make of these discussions. On the same day, U.S. and Soviet First Ladies Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev buried a message in a Red Cross Building cornerstone. This action was done to symbolize the promotion of peace and harmony. Soviet-U.S. Peace Talks Concluded, Outcome being Analyzed
1985 U.S.A. Windows 1.01
20th November, 1985: Microsoft's launches it's first version of a multi tasking graphical user interface GUI for the PC ( this allowed the user to run multiple windows with multiple programmes switching between one and another. Windows 1.01 was the very first version of Windows launched. Windows 1.01 and all older versions of Windows prior to Windows 95 required MSDOS installed on the computer and the user would install Windows from floppy discs.
20th November, 1985: Microsoft's launches it's first version of a multi tasking graphical user interface GUI for the PC ( this allowed the user to run multiple windows with multiple programmes switching between one and another. Windows 1.01 was the very first version of Windows launched. Windows 1.01 and all older versions of Windows prior to Windows 95 required MSDOS installed on the computer and the user would install Windows from floppy discs.
1989 Czechoslovakia Velvet Revolution
20th November, 1989 : Following the suppression by riot police of a peaceful student demonstration consisting of 15,000 peacefully marchers on the 17th November in Prague, from November 20th the number of demonstrators grew as more ordinary Czechs joined and a planned national strike for the 27th November gained more support, by the 20th November over 100,000 had taken to the streets in peaceful demonstration in what was a non-violent revolution against Communist rule. On November 28th the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announced it would relinquish power and dismantle the single-party state, and free elections would be held. There is a great piece on Wikipedia giving a well documented timeline for the Czechoslovakia Velvet Revolution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Revolution.
20th November, 1989 : Following the suppression by riot police of a peaceful student demonstration consisting of 15,000 peacefully marchers on the 17th November in Prague, from November 20th the number of demonstrators grew as more ordinary Czechs joined and a planned national strike for the 27th November gained more support, by the 20th November over 100,000 had taken to the streets in peaceful demonstration in what was a non-violent revolution against Communist rule. On November 28th the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announced it would relinquish power and dismantle the single-party state, and free elections would be held. There is a great piece on Wikipedia giving a well documented timeline for the Czechoslovakia Velvet Revolution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Revolution.
1994 Bosnia Serbs and Muslims
20th November, 1994: Government soldiers were attacked by Serbs and Muslims in northwest Bosnia. They were trying to recover lost territory before the UN could intervene. However, U.S. plans to bomb Croatia at the airfield was called off because of bad weather.
20th November, 1994: Government soldiers were attacked by Serbs and Muslims in northwest Bosnia. They were trying to recover lost territory before the UN could intervene. However, U.S. plans to bomb Croatia at the airfield was called off because of bad weather.
2001 U.S.A. Contraceptive Patch
20th November, 2001 : The worlds first transdermal patch ( Ortho-Evra ) that gradually releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones to prevent ovulation and possible pregnancy is approved for sale by US Federal health officials. The patch is a weekly patch application applied each week for 3 weeks and on the forth week no patch is applied.
20th November, 2001 : The worlds first transdermal patch ( Ortho-Evra ) that gradually releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones to prevent ovulation and possible pregnancy is approved for sale by US Federal health officials. The patch is a weekly patch application applied each week for 3 weeks and on the forth week no patch is applied.
2002 Russia Saddam Hussein
20th November, 2002: President George Bush and other leaders of the world involved in NATO decided to join in the confrontation against Saddam Hussein. They banned together in order to take a stand against terrorist attacks outside of European borders. President Bush wanted to see lasting changes that will bring true peace. He spoke of war being a temporary solution.
20th November, 2002: President George Bush and other leaders of the world involved in NATO decided to join in the confrontation against Saddam Hussein. They banned together in order to take a stand against terrorist attacks outside of European borders. President Bush wanted to see lasting changes that will bring true peace. He spoke of war being a temporary solution.
2003 U.S.A. Michael Jackson
20th November, 2003: Michael Jackson is booked on suspicion of multiple counts of child molestation and is freed on $3 million bond. ( he was later acquitted on all charges )
20th November, 2003: Michael Jackson is booked on suspicion of multiple counts of child molestation and is freed on $3 million bond. ( he was later acquitted on all charges )
2003 Turkey Istanbul Bomb Attacks
20th November, 2003: A series of suicide bomb attacks on British interests in the Turkish city of Istanbul has left over 27 dead and 400 injured. The bomb attacks on the British consulate building and the London-based bank, HSBC. The bombings are under investigation but it is thought the bombers were members of al-Qaeda terrorist organization.
This Day In History For Tomorrow November 21st Day After November 22nd Or You Can Use Our Calendar at the top of the page to find the day or month you are looking for
20th November, 2003: A series of suicide bomb attacks on British interests in the Turkish city of Istanbul has left over 27 dead and 400 injured. The bomb attacks on the British consulate building and the London-based bank, HSBC. The bombings are under investigation but it is thought the bombers were members of al-Qaeda terrorist organization.
This Day In History For Tomorrow November 21st Day After November 22nd Or You Can Use Our Calendar at the top of the page to find the day or month you are looking for
About This Day In History
Our This Day in History news items are taken mostly from the year 1920 Onwards as The People History concentrates on modern history from the last 80 + years. We place the most important 1 to 3 news items at the top of the page and then start from the earliest date to the latest date.This Day In History Is Updated Every Day
Research: Our research for This Day In History comes from 6 main sources
1. Time spent in the Local Library checking old newspapers.
2. BBC News Archives
3. New York Time Archives
4. Wikipedia ( We do double check )
5. Research from History books which we have a large collection
6. The People History itself
Because of our concerns over accuracy we always use at least 2 sources for verification before we include a news story
Each day we feature between 1 and 3 videos that are related to that days news stories, using this format we believe we can provide an informative and entertaining format to see the news that was important or interesting from This Day In History.
As a general rule we gather about 20 plus news stories for each day and we are always spending time to improve each day. We also include our Born on This Day with a small article on the persons achievements or the reason they are known.
We do include some popular culture references if we felt those items would have been featured on nightly news or in national newspapers. A good example would be Who Shot JR? on the TV Soap Dallas as the speculation caused a major stir around the world.
We have tried very hard to find news stories from around the world and not be to US centric but as America is the largest most populated western country in the world it still does provide a significant amount of the news featured. The mix is generally slightly more news stories from around the world than America so for example if we have a total of 25 news stories we would expect 15 from around the world and 10 from the United States, but this can vary greatly for any one day.
In general we only feature natural and other disasters which would make the nightly news on our This Day In History, this does not mean the other natural disasters that may cause the loss of life of just a few poor souls is not important.
Also remember if you wish to find out what happened on the day you were born click on the corresponding month and then go to the specific day.
The page is made up from 3 RSS feeds
1. The main RSS feed for This Day in History which would be suitable for delivery to your e-mail in box.
2. Our Born This Day which is quite small and includes a video related to that person included.
3. A much smaller This Day In History RSS feed which includes only 3 or 4 news stories ideal for including on your blog or web site through an RSS display tool.
