Historical Events on February 20

  • 1792:S President George Washington signs the Postal Service Act. This act founds the U.S Post Office Department.
  • 1835: An earthquake hit Concepcion, Chile and destroys it.
  • 1864: The Battle of Olustee takes place during the American Civil War. It’s the biggest battle to have been fought in the state of Florida throughout the entire war.
  • 1872: In New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art opens its doors.
  • 1901: The legislature for the Territory of Hawaii convenes for the first time on this day.
  • 1931: The U.S Congress approves the construction of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. This allows California to begin work on it immediately.
  • 1933: The 21st Amendment to the U.S Constitution is proposed by the United State Congress. This amendment would repeal prohibition in the U.S.
  • 1933: Adolf Hitler meets with German captains of industry to set up financing for the Nazi Party’s upcoming election campaigns.
  • 1943:S movie studio execs agree to allow the U.S Office of War Information to censor movies.
  • 1944: American bomber raids begin on German aircraft manufacturing centers during WWII.
  • 1944: Eniwetok Island is seized by the U.S during WWII.
  • 1962: John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth while he’s on board the Friendship 7.
  • 1965: After successfully taking pictures of possible Apollo landing sites, Ranger 8 crashes into the moon.
  • 1971: The U.S Emergency Broadcast System is accidentally activated.

Famous Birthdays on February 20

  • American photographer Ansel Adams is born in 1902.
  • American actor Gale Gordon is born in 1906.
  • American fashion designer, artist, socialite and actress, Gloria Vanderbilt is born in 1924.
  • American actor Sydney Poitier is born in 1927.
  • American actress Amanda Blake is born in 1929.
  • American singer-songwriter J. Geils is born in 1946.
  • American actor Peter Strauss is born in 1947.
  • American model and actress, Jennifer O’Neill is born in 1948.
  • American singer-songwriter Kurt Cobain is born in 1967.
  • Bosnian screenwriter and actor, Danis Tanović is born in 1969.