December 20: What Happened on This Day in History
December 20th marks the 354th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 355th in case of leap years). There are 11 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 20th in history, famous birthdays on December 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 20.
What happened on December 20?
Here's what happened on December 20th in history:
- 2021: Multiple countries conducted significant counter-terrorism and anti-insurgency operations. Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported capturing 35 rebels and destroying enemy strongholds. In Israel, the Defense Forces arrested over 100 Hamas members amid rising tensions. In Pakistan, police killed three Islamic State members during an operation in Peshawar.
- 2014: In retaliation for a rocket attack, Israel launched a precision airstrike on an alleged Hamas military base near Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, escalating tensions in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- 2011: Syria announced a new law that would impose capital punishment on individuals involved in terrorist activities, raising significant human rights concerns.
- 2004: Son Seals, a renowned American blues guitarist who significantly influenced the Chicago blues scene, passed away. Born in 1942, Seals was known for his powerful guitar playing and influential musical career.
- 2002: US Senator Trent Lott resigned from his position as Senate Majority Leader after controversial comments about segregation, which significantly damaged his political standing and effectiveness within the Republican Party.
- 1999: Hank Snow, a legendary Canadian country music singer and songwriter who was born in 1914, passed away on December 20, 1999. Known for his distinctive yodeling style and hits like 'I'm Movin' On', Snow was a significant influence in the country music genre and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- 1995: Paul Robeson opens at Longacre Theater in New York City for a 14-performance run, showcasing the life and work of the renowned African American actor, singer, and civil rights activist.
- 1988: NBC signed a 33-year lease to maintain its headquarters in New York City, demonstrating the network's commitment to the city and its media infrastructure.
- 1985: Hockey legend Denis Potvin surpasses Bobby Orr's record for most points by an NHL defenseman, achieving an impressive milestone of 916 points and solidifying his place in hockey history.
- 1981: The iconic musical Dreamgirls opened at the Imperial Theater in New York City, marking the beginning of a remarkable 1,522-performance run. The production, directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, would become a landmark in Broadway musical history.
What famous birthdays are on December 20?
On December 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Jonah Hill]()
Jonah Hill (1983)Acclaimed American actor and comedian known for comedy and dramatic roles in films like 'Superbad', 'Moneyball', and 'The Wolf of Wall...
![Jaydy Michel]()
Jaydy Michel (1975)Mexican actress and model who gained prominence in telenovelas during the late 1990s and early 2000s, known for her roles in popular...
![George Roy Hill]()
George Roy Hill (1921)Acclaimed American film director known for classic films like 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'The Sting', who won numerous awards...
![John Hillerman]()
John Hillerman (1932)John Hillerman was an accomplished American actor known for his memorable roles in television and film, most famously as Higgins in the...
![Dennis Morgan]()
Dennis Morgan (1908)Dennis Morgan was a prominent American actor, leading man, and opera singer who starred in notable films like 'The Great Ziegfeld' and...
![Audrey Totter]()
Audrey Totter (1918)Prominent American film noir actress known for her roles in classic Hollywood movies like 'The Carpetbaggers' and 'The Set-Up', who was a...
![Alain de Botton]()
Alain de Botton (1969)Swiss-British philosopher and author known for his insightful works on philosophy, psychology, and everyday life, exploring complex ideas in...
![David Cook]()
David Cook (1982)American singer and winner of the seventh season of American Idol, known for his rock-pop style and successful music career.
![Bob Morley]()
Bob Morley (1984)Australian actor known for his role in the TV series 'The 100', a popular science fiction drama.
![Jenny Agutter]()
Jenny Agutter (1952)Accomplished British actress with a distinguished career in film and television, particularly notable for her memorable performances in...
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 December 20?
On December 20th the following celebrities died:
![John Steinbeck]()
![Brittany Murphy]()
Brittany Murphy (2009)Brittany Murphy was a talented American actress known for her versatile roles in comedy and drama films, who tragically died at a young age.
![Thomas Newman]()
Thomas Newman (1991)Renowned film composer known for scoring movies like 'American Beauty' and 'Skyfall', who unfortunately passed away prematurely.
![Carl Sagan]()
Carl Sagan (1996)Carl Sagan was a renowned American astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator who popularized complex scientific concepts for the...
![Bobby Darin]()
Bobby Darin (1973)Bobby Darin was a versatile American entertainer who excelled as a singer, songwriter, and actor, best known for his iconic hit 'Mack the...
![Madge Sinclair]()
Madge Sinclair (1995)Jamaican-born actress known for her roles in television and film, including the TV series 'Roots' where she played Kunta Kinte's mother.
![Helene Heigh]()
- Franco Harris (2022)
Legendary NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, famous for the 'Immaculate Reception' in the 1972 playoff game.
- Léopold Sédar Senghor (2001)
Renowned Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician who served as the first president of Senegal, celebrated for his significant...
- Roy Disney (1971)
Roy Disney was the co-founder of The Walt Disney Company and the older brother of Walt Disney.
What day of the year is December 20?
December 20th marks the 354th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 355th in case of leap years).
There are 11 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 20th is the 20th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 20?
On December 20th, 2025 the day of the week is Saturday.
| December | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 December 20?
The zodiac sign associated with December 20th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
