February 20: This Day In History (World History)
Throughout history, February 20 has been a day of significant events that have shaped politics, science, culture, and global movements. From the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1872 to John Glenn’s historic space mission in 1962, this date has witnessed groundbreaking achievements. Here are some significant events that happened on February 20 throughout history:
- 1872 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City.
- 1935 – Caroline Mikkelsen becomes the first woman to set foot in Antarctica.
- 1943 – The Battle of Kasserine Pass begins during World War II as German forces attack U.S. troops in Tunisia.
- 1947 – Lord Mountbatten is appointed as the last Viceroy of India, overseeing the transition to independence.
- 1962 – John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7 during NASA’s Mercury-Atlas 6 mission.
- 1986 – The Soviet Union launches the Mir space station, which becomes a major outpost in space exploration.
- 1998 – American figure skater Tara Lipinski wins gold at the Nagano Winter Olympics at age 15, becoming the youngest Olympic figure skating champion.
- 2005 – Spain becomes the first country to approve a constitution for the European Union via a referendum.
- 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic spreads as Iran, South Korea, and Italy report sharp increases in cases.
- 1952 – Anti-Colonial Protests in Tunisia– Tunisians staged demonstrations against French colonial rule. The movement, led by the Neo Destour party and nationalist leader Habib Bourguiba, played a significant role in Tunisia’s eventual independence in 1956.
See Also: February 19: This Day In World Christian History
- 1965 – Jomo Kenyatta Becomes President of KANU– Jomo Kenyatta, who led Kenya to independence from Britain in 1963, officially became the president of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), the ruling party. Under his leadership, Kenya pursues policies of economic development and national unity.
- 1988 – South Africa’s National Party Calls for Reforms– The South African National Party, under President P.W. Botha, announced its willingness to begin negotiations to reform apartheid. This was a key moment that led to Nelson Mandela’s eventual release in 1990 and the end of apartheid in 1994.
- 2002 – UN Establishes Special Court for Sierra Leone– The United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone officially established the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) to prosecute those responsible for war crimes committed during the country’s brutal civil war (1991–2002). The court later indicts and convicts former Liberian president Charles Taylor for war crimes.
- 2011 – Libya Uprising Gains Momentum– The Libyan Civil War intensified as thousands of Libyans rose against Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule. The protests in Benghazi and Tripoli led to an armed rebellion, which eventually resulted in Gaddafi’s overthrow and death in October 2011.
Famous Birthdays on February 20
- 1927 – Sidney Poitier (Bahamas, of African descent) – First Black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. He was a strong advocate for civil rights and African empowerment.
- 1971 – Sani Musa Danja (Nigeria) – A prominent Kannywood actor, director, and musician known for his contributions to the Hausa film industry.
- 1844 – Ludwig Boltzmann, an Austrian physicist known for contributions to statistical mechanics.
- 1927 – Sidney Poitier, a Bahamian-American actor, was the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor.
- 1937 – Nancy Wilson, American jazz and R&B singer.
- 1966 – Cindy Crawford, American supermodel and actress.
- 1988 – Rihanna, Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman.
Content Credit| Ajibola Emmanuel Adebayo
Picture Credit | https://www.koamnewsnow.com/
){kind=link}