20th January In History

January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 345 days remain until the end of the year (346 in leap years).

So, What happened on 20th January in history

What happened today in history (20th January): John F. Kennedy took the oath of office, Barack Obama sworn in as U.S. president, Fujifilm was founded, Hong Kong Island was occupied by the British, and more.

It may not mean much to you right now, but by the end of this article, you will learn that January 20 holds a significant place in history.

From sworn ins by several US presidents and Fujifilm foundation to Nazi officials meeting many important events took place on 20th January.

Dive in to know what happened on this day (Jan. 20) in sports, politics and art, along with famous birthdays and deaths in world history.

Early Events

In 250 – Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution
In 1265 – The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the “Houses of Parliament”
In 1320 – Duke Wladyslaw Lokietek becomes king of Poland.
In 1523 – Christian II is forced to abdicate as King of Denmark and Norway.
In 1567 – Battle of Rio de Janeiro: Portuguese forces under the command of Estácio de Sá definitively drive the French out of Rio de Janeiro.
In 1783 – The Kingdom of Great Britain signs preliminary articles of peace with the Kingdom of France, setting the stage for the official end of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War later that year.
In 1841 – Hong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War.
In 1783 – The United States Senate allows the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base.

Relatively New Events On This Day

In 1909, Newly formed automaker General Motors (GM) buys into the Oakland Motor Car Company, which later becomes GM’s long-running Pontiac division.
In 1921, The British K-class submarine HMS K5 sinks in the English Channel; all 56 on board die.
In 1925, The Soviet and Japan sign a convention resuming relations: Russia agrees to limit revolutionary activity of the Third Communist International, while Japan agrees to leave the Sakhalin
In 1936, Edward VIII succeeds British King George V.
In 1937, 1st US Presidential Inauguration day held on Jan 20th, (previously March 4th)
In 1941, Chinese Communist leaders re-organize the New Fourth Army in defiance of Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek’s order for it to be disbanded
In 1942, Japanese invade Burma
In 1942, Wannsee Conference: Nazi officials hold the notorious Wannsee Conference in Berlin to organize the “final solution”, the extermination of Europe’s Jews
In 1943, Lead, South Dakota, temperature is 52°F, while 1.5 miles away Deadwood records -16°F
In 1943, Operation Weiss: German, Italian, Bulgarian & Croatian troops attempt to retake land liberated by Tito’s partisans
In 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt sworn-in for an unprecedented (and never to be repeated) 4th term as US President
In 1952, British army occupies Ismailiya, Suez Canal Zone
In 1961, Democrat John F. Kennedy, the youngest elected President of the United States, is administered his oath of office at his inauguration by Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren.
In 1964, Capitol Records releases “Meet The Beatles” album by the Beatles, in US
In 1972, Pakistan launches its nuclear weapons program, a few weeks after its defeat in the Bangladesh Liberation War, as well as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
In 1974, China gains control over all the Paracel Islands after a military engagement between the naval forces of China and South Vietnam.
In 1977, George H. W. Bush ends his term as 11th director of CIA replaced by E. Henry Knoche as acting director
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter announces US boycott of Olympics in Moscow.
In 1981, Twenty minutes after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States of America, Iran releases 52 American hostages.
In 1986, In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time.
In 1989, George H. W. Bush inaugurated as 41st US President, Dan Quayle becomes 44th Vice President.
In 1990, 47th Golden Globes: “Born on the Fourth of July”, Tom Cruise and Michelle Pfeiffer win.
In 1993, Bill Clinton (D) inaugurated as 42nd US President.
In 2001, George W. Bush inaugurated as 43rd US President, Dick Cheney becomes 46th Vice President.
In 2009, Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America, becoming the first African-American President of the United States.
In 2017, After an unexpected victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, Republican Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
In 2021, Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States of America and Kamala Harris as the 49th Vice President, the first female, black or south Asian Vice President.

Sports Events On This Day

In 1971 Ard Schenk skates world record 1000m (1:18.8)
In 1992 Australia beat India 2-0 to win cricket’s World Series Cup; Australian opener David Boon scores the most runs in the series (432)
In 1996 46th NHL All-Star Game, FleetCenter, Boston, MA: East beats West, 5-4; MVP: Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins, D.

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Art and Culture Events – What Happened on 20th January

In 1990 47th Golden Globes: “Born on the Fourth of July”, Tom Cruise and Michelle Pfeiffer win
In 2002 59th Golden Globes: “A Beautiful Mind”, Russell Crowe, & Sissy Spacek win

Famous Birthdays On 20th January

Sr No	Birth Year	Personality
1	1920	Federico Fellini, Italian director
2	1930	Buzz Aldrin, American pilot, astronaut.
3	1946	David Lynch, American director
4	1956	Bill Maher, American comedian, actor, television host
5	1971	Gary Barlow, English singer-songwriter, pianist, producer

Notable Deaths On 20th January

Sr No	Death Year	Personality
1	1837	John Soane, English architect
2	1900	John Ruskin, English author
3	1936	George V, King of the United Kingdom
4	1993	Audrey Hepburn, Belgian/English actress, singer
5	2012	Etta James, American singer-songwriter

Days ….

Heroes’ Day (Cape Verde)
Inauguration Day, held every four years in odd-numbered years immediately following years divisible by 4, except for the public ceremony when January 20 falls on Sunday (the public ceremony is held the following day; however, the terms of offices still begin on the 20th) (United States of America, not a federal holiday for all government employees but only for those working in the Capital region)
Martyrs’ Day (Azerbaijan)

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