March 20: What Happened on This Day in History
March 20th marks the 79th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 80th in case of leap years). There are 286 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on March 20th in history, famous birthdays on March 20th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to March 20.
What happened on March 20?
Here's what happened on March 20th in history:
- 2013: James Herbert, a renowned British horror novelist known for his influential works in the horror genre, passed away in Sussex at the age of 69. Herbert was a pioneering author who significantly impacted contemporary horror literature.
- 2008: Yves Leterme was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Belgium, marking a significant moment in the country's political leadership transition.
- 2006: In San Diego, California, Japan captures the inaugural World Baseball Classic championship by defeating Cuba with a decisive 10-6 victory, marking a significant moment in international baseball.
- 2000: Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a former prominent Black Panther activist previously known as H. Rap Brown, was captured by law enforcement after a violent confrontation that resulted in the murder of Georgia sheriff's deputy Ricky Kinchen and critically wounding Deputy Aldranon England. This event marked the end of a manhunt and a significant moment in the aftermath of civil rights era activism.
- 1990: Popular singer Gloria Estefan was involved in a serious bus accident that resulted in a broken collarbone. This incident temporarily interrupted her successful music career and required a period of recovery.
- 1987: The popular television soap opera Capitol aired its final episode, concluding its run and marking the end of a significant narrative in daytime television drama.
- 1986: A powerful wind gust of 228 kilometers per hour (KPH) was recorded at Cairngorm, establishing a new wind speed record for the United Kingdom. This extreme meteorological event highlights the intense wind conditions possible in the Scottish highlands.
- 1983: Kathy Whitworth secured a significant win at the LPGA Women's Kemper Golf Open, further solidifying her status as one of the most accomplished female golfers of her era. Whitworth, known for her exceptional skill and consistency, added another prestigious tournament to her impressive career record.
- 1978: On March 20, 1978, Philadelphia Flyers player Rick MacLeash achieved a remarkable feat by scoring on the 6th penalty shot against the New York Islanders, a rare and impressive accomplishment in professional hockey.
- 1977: In a significant political upset, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Congress Party lost control of the Lok Sabha, losing elections for 542 of the 544 parliamentary seats. This marked a major turning point in Indian democratic politics, signaling widespread public dissatisfaction with her leadership.
What famous birthdays are on March 20?
On March 20th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Carl Reiner]()
Carl Reiner (1922)Legendary American comedy writer, director, actor, and producer known for creating 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and collaborating with Mel...
![Spike Lee]()
Spike Lee (1957)Spike Lee is an influential African American filmmaker known for groundbreaking films exploring racial issues and social justice, such as...
![Ruby Rose]()
Ruby Rose (1986)Ruby Rose is an Australian model, actress, and media personality known for her androgynous style, acting in 'Orange Is the New Black', and...
![Holly Hunter]()
Holly Hunter (1958)Holly Hunter is an acclaimed American actress who won an Academy Award for her role in 'The Piano' and has delivered memorable performances...
![Hal Linden]()
Hal Linden (1931)Hal Linden is an Emmy Award-winning American actor best known for his starring role in the popular TV sitcom 'Barney Miller'.
![William Hurt]()
William Hurt (1950)William Hurt was a critically acclaimed American actor who won an Academy Award and was known for powerful performances in dramatic films...
![Wendell Corey]()
Wendell Corey (1914)Prominent American film actor of the 1950s, known for his supporting roles in classic Hitchcock thriller Rear Window and Oscar-nominated...
![Kathy Ireland]()
Kathy Ireland (1963)Renowned American supermodel who successfully transitioned into a highly successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, particularly in the...
![Xavier Dolan]()
Xavier Dolan (1989)Canadian french young actor and filmmaker, manuel tadros, a singer and actor of egyptian descent, was born to genevia"ve dolan and actor...
![Jerry Reed]()
Jerry Reed (1937)Legendary country western singer, songwriter, and actor known for hit songs and roles in films like 'Smokey and the Bandit'.
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 March 20?
On March 20th the following celebrities died:
![Fred Rogers]()
- Kenny Rogers (2020)
Legendary country music singer known for hits like 'The Gambler' and 'Islands in the Stream', who had a successful career spanning multiple...
- Lev Yashin (1990)
Lev Yashin was a legendary Soviet goalkeeper nicknamed the 'Black Spider', revolutionizing the goalkeeper position in football and widely...
- Malcolm Fraser (2015)
Malcolm Fraser was a prominent Australian politician who served as Prime Minister of Australia from 1975 to 1983, leading the Liberal Party...
- David Rockefeller (2017)
Prominent American banker and philanthropist from the influential Rockefeller family, who played a significant role in global finance and...
- Polykarp Kusch (1993)
Renowned physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1955 for his groundbreaking work on electron magnetic movement.
- Ota Benga (1916)
Congolese man who was exhibited as a 'pygmy' at the Bronx Zoo in the early 20th century.
- Jim Stynes (2012)
Renowned Irish-Australian footballer who became a prominent sports figure and humanitarian, known for his significant contributions to...
- James Herbert (2013)
Renowned British horror and science fiction author whose chilling novels have sold over 40 million copies worldwide, establishing him as a...
- Brendan Behan (1964)
Renowned Irish playwright, IRA member, and writer known for his provocative works exploring Irish nationalism with dark humor, including...
What day of the year is March 20?
March 20th marks the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 80th in case of leap years).
There are 286 days remaining until the end of the year.
March 20th is the 20th day of the month of March.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day March 20?
The zodiac sign associated with March 20th is Pisces according to the Western Zodiac.
