February 20: What Happened on This Day in History
February 20th marks the 51st day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 314 days (315 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 20th in history, famous birthdays on February 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 20.

What happened on February 20?
Here's what happened on February 20th in history:
- 2021: Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka secured her fourth Grand Slam title and second Australian Open championship by defeating American Jennifer Brady in a decisive straight-sets victory of 6-4, 6-3. Her performance demonstrated her continued dominance in women's tennis.
- 2014: A shooting incident at a Native American Tribal Office in Alturas, California, resulted in four fatalities and two injuries.
- 2011: The Arab Spring, a wave of pro-democracy uprisings sweeping across multiple Middle Eastern and North African countries, gains significant momentum with widespread protests challenging authoritarian regimes.
- 2004: Conservative political parties secured a majority in the Iranian parliamentary election, signaling continued conservative influence in Iran's political landscape.
- 2002: Willie Thrower, an American football player born in 1930, passed away or was commemorated on this date.
- 1999: Sarah Kane, a groundbreaking English playwright known for her provocative and emotionally intense works, passed away. Born in 1971, Kane was a significant figure in contemporary British theatre, challenging traditional dramatic conventions with plays like 'Blasted' and 'Cleansed'. Her raw, visceral style explored themes of violence, love, and human suffering.
- 1995: Rabbi Shlomo Averbach, a prominent religious leader, was laid to rest in Jerusalem in a massive public funeral that drew approximately 250,000 mourners. The unprecedented turnout reflected his significant influence in the Jewish religious community and his respected status as a spiritual leader.
- 1988: Peter Kalikow purchases the New York Post from media mogul Rupert Murdoch for US$37.6 million.
- 1985: Yulia Volkova is born, who would later become a prominent member of the internationally recognized Russian pop duo t.A.T.u., known for their controversial and groundbreaking music in the early 2000s.
- 1981: Baron Nicolas de Gunzburg, a prominent French magazine editor and notable socialite known for his influential role in media and Parisian high society, passed away. Born in 1904, he was a significant figure in the cultural landscape of mid-20th century France.

What famous birthdays are on February 20?
On February 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
- Kurt Cobain (1967)
Legendary lead singer and guitarist of Nirvana, a pioneering grunge band that revolutionized alternative rock in the 1990s.
- Sidney Poitier (1927)
Groundbreaking African American actor who broke racial barriers in Hollywood, winning an Oscar for Best Actor and starring in landmark films...
- Danis Tanovic (1969)
Bosnian filmmaker renowned for his Oscar-winning film 'No Man's Land', which won Best Foreign Film in 2001 and brought international...
- Ivana Trump (1949)
Czechoslovakian-American businesswoman, model, and socialite known for her marriage to Donald Trump and her prominent role in the Trump...
- Cindy Crawford (1966)
Cindy Crawford is an iconic American supermodel who dominated fashion runways and magazine covers during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Robert Altman (1925)
Renowned American film director who revolutionized cinema with innovative storytelling techniques.
- Gloria Vanderbilt (1924)
Gloria Vanderbilt was a famous American heiress and fashion designer known for her high-profile custody battle as a child and later her...
- Gordon Brown (1951)
British politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and later Prime Minister.
- Rena Vlahopoulou (1923)
Prominent Greek singer and actress who was a significant figure in mid-20th century Greek entertainment, known for her contributions to...
- Lili Taylor (1967)
Versatile American actress known for her compelling performances in independent films like 'Short Cuts' and 'Ransom'.
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 February 20?
On February 20th the following celebrities died:
- Sandra Dee (2005)
Sandra Dee was a prominent American actress and teenage film idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for her wholesome image and roles...
- John Raitt (2005)
John Raitt was a prominent Broadway musical star known for his powerful baritone voice and leading roles in classic musicals during the...
- Dick York (1992)
American actor best known for playing Darrin Stephens in the classic TV sitcom 'Bewitched' from 1964 to 1969.
- Alexander Haig (2010)
Prominent American military and political figure who served as White House Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, and United...
- Ferruccio Lamborghini (1993)
Legendary Italian industrialist who founded Lamborghini, transforming from tractor manufacturing to creating world-renowned luxury sports...
- Hunter S. Thompson (2005)
Pioneering American journalist and author who founded gonzo journalism, a radical style of first-person reporting that blurred lines between...
- Gene Siskel (1999)
Renowned film critic who co-hosted the popular show 'Siskel & Ebert', revolutionizing movie criticism on television.
- Orville Freeman (2003)
Prominent American politician who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President John F. Kennedy and was a key figure in Minnesota's...

What day of the year is February 20?
February 20th marks the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 314 days remaining until the end of the year (or 315 days in case of leap years).
February 20th is the 20th day of the month of February.

What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 20?
The zodiac sign associated with February 20th is Pisces according to the Western Zodiac.
