Featured
1803
U.S. Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase
The United States Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase, confirming a deal that doubled the size of the young republic.
Politics223 years ago
SourceOn This Day
October 20
Discover the events and people that shaped this day in history.
Historical events
1827War199 years agoBattle of Navarino turns the Greek War of Independence
A combined British, French and Russian fleet defeated the Ottoman–Egyptian fleet at Navarino in one of the last major battles fought by wooden sailing warships.
1910Transport116 years agoRMS Olympic is launched in Belfast
The ocean liner RMS Olympic, sister ship of Titanic and the lead ship of the Olympic class, was launched at the Harland & Wolff shipyard.
1944War82 years agoDouglas MacArthur returns to the Philippines
During the Battle of Leyte, General Douglas MacArthur came ashore in the Philippines, fulfilling his famous promise: “I have returned.”
1973Culture53 years agoSydney Opera House officially opens
Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the Sydney Opera House after 14 years of construction, creating one of the world’s best-known modern landmarks.
2018Science8 years agoBepiColombo launches for Mercury
The joint ESA–JAXA mission BepiColombo launched on an Ariane 5 rocket to begin its long journey to Mercury.
Famous birthdays
1882144 years ago
Béla Lugosi
Hungarian-American actor best remembered for playing Count Dracula in the 1931 film Dracula.
193195 years ago
Mickey Mantle
Legendary American baseball player who spent his entire Major League career with the New York Yankees and became a Hall of Famer.
194680 years ago
Elfriede Jelinek
Austrian writer and playwright awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Literature.
196462 years ago
Kamala Harris
American politician and lawyer who served as the 49th vice president of the United States.
Timeline
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