July 20: What Happened on This Day in History

20July

July 20th marks the 201st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 202nd in case of leap years). There are 164 days remaining until the end of the year.

Discover what happened on July 20th in history, famous birthdays on July 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to July 20.

history

What happened on July 20?

Here's what happened on July 20th in history:


  • 2021: American entrepreneur Jeff Bezos successfully flew to space aboard the New Shepard NS-16 rocket, operated by his private spaceflight company Blue Origin. This historic flight marked a significant milestone in commercial space travel, demonstrating the potential for civilian space exploration.
  • 2014: Islamist militia renewed their assault on Tripoli International Airport, escalating post-civil war violence in Libya.
  • 2011: During the 2011 Syrian uprising, government troops surrounded Harasta, a suburb near Damascus, escalating military pressure on opposition-held territories and signaling the growing intensity of the conflict.
  • 2004: Adi Lady Lala Mara, a prominent Fijian chieftainess and wife of Kamisese Mara, passed away. Born in 1931, she was a significant figure in Fijian social and political circles.
  • 2002: A 250-kilogram unexploded American bomb from World War II was discovered during a construction project in Berlin. As a safety precaution, hundreds of local residents were evacuated for several hours while experts carefully defused the historic explosive device.
  • 1999: Sandra Gould, an American actress known for her work in television and film, was born in 1916. She was a notable performer during the mid-20th century.
  • 1995: Helmut Gernsheim, a renowned art historian and photographer based in Munich, Germany, played a pivotal role in establishing photography as a serious form of art worthy of academic study. His groundbreaking work helped elevate photography from a mere technical process to a legitimate artistic medium, paving the way for its recognition in scholarly circles.
  • 1988: At the Democratic National Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia, Michael Dukakis was officially nominated as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, with Lloyd Bentsen selected as his running mate for the 1988 United States presidential election.
  • 1985: Walt Disney World celebrates a significant milestone by welcoming its 200-millionth guest, Virgil Waytes, Jr., highlighting the park's immense popularity and cultural impact.
  • 1981: During a cricket match, England faced a potential innings loss against Australia. Ian Botham notably scored 100 runs in just 87 balls, demonstrating exceptional batting prowess.
Discover all events on July 20 in history
birthday

What famous birthdays are on July 20?

On July 20th there are the following famous birthdays:


  • Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood (1938)

    Iconic Hollywood actress who successfully transitioned from child to teenage roles, born to Russian immigrant parents.

  • Chris Cornell
    Chris Cornell (1964)

    Legendary rock musician, lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, known for his powerful vocal range and significant contribution to the...

  • Gisele Bündchen
    Gisele Bündchen (1980)

    Internationally renowned Brazilian supermodel, environmental activist, and UN Goodwill Ambassador who dominated the fashion world in the...

  • Ray Allen
    Ray Allen (1975)

    NBA Hall of Fame basketball player, considered one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, who played for teams like the Boston...

  • Osric Chau
    Osric Chau (1986)

    Osric Chau is a Canadian actor of Asian descent known for his recurring role as Kevin Tran in the popular TV series Supernatural.

  • Naseeruddin Shah
    Naseeruddin Shah (1950)

    Naseeruddin Shah is a legendary Indian actor known for his exceptional versatility, critically acclaimed performances in parallel and...

  • Sandra Oh
    Sandra Oh (1971)

    Sandra Oh is an acclaimed Korean-Canadian actress known for her Emmy-nominated roles in critically acclaimed TV series Grey's Anatomy and...

  • Omar Epps
    Omar Epps (1973)

    Omar Epps is an accomplished American actor best known for his role as Dr. Eric Foreman in the critically acclaimed medical drama series...

  • Aliki Vougiouklaki
    Aliki Vougiouklaki (1934)

    Prominent Greek actress and singer who was a major star in Greek cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her comedic roles and...

  • Josh Holloway
    Josh Holloway (1969)

    Josh Holloway is an American actor best known for his iconic role as James 'Sawyer' Ford in the critically acclaimed TV series Lost, which...

  • More celebrities born on July 20

How to check someone's birthday?

If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide

RIP

Who died on July 20?

On July 20th the following celebrities died:


  • Bruce Lee
    Bruce Lee (1973)

    Legendary Chinese-American martial artist and actor who revolutionized action cinema, becoming a global icon of martial arts and cultural...

  • Mildred Harris
    Mildred Harris (1944)

    Mildred Harris was a prominent silent film actress during the early 20th century, known for her roles in numerous films during the golden...

  • James Doohan
    James Doohan (2005)

    Famous Canadian-American actor best known for playing Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott in the original Star Trek series.

  • Linda Stirling
    Linda Stirling (1997)

    At 75, a college professor (pretender) dies.

  • Franklin Pangborn
    Franklin Pangborn (1958)

    Dies at 69.

  • Geeta Dutt (1991)

    Geeta Dutt was a legendary playback singer who significantly contributed to the golden era of Bollywood music, known for her melodious and...

  • Chester Bennington (2017)

    Lead singer of the iconic rock band Linkin Park, known for his powerful vocal range and emotional performances.

  • Lucian Freud (2011)

    Lucian Freud was a renowned British painter known for his raw, psychologically intense figurative art and significant influence on...

  • Andrew Lang (1912)

    Scots novelist, poet, literary critic, and contributor in the field of anthropology.

  • Marie-Madeleine Fourcade (1989)

    A courageous French resistance leader during World War II who took over the 'Alliance' intelligence network after her predecessor's arrest.

  • More famous people died on July 20

calendar

What day of the year is July 20?


July 20th marks the 201st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 202nd in case of leap years).

There are 164 days remaining until the end of the year.

July 20th is the 20th day of the month of July.

What day of the week is July 20?

On July 20th, 2025 the day of the week is Sunday.

July 2025
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031

Holidays and Observances on July 20

zodiac

What zodiac sign is associated with the day July 20?