May 20 in History
What happened on May 20 in history?
A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on may 20 in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened on may 20 in history.
?>1970
100,000 people march in New York, supporting U.S. policies in Vietnam.
1969
In South Vietnam, troops of the 101st Airborne Division reach the top of Hill 937 after nine days of fighting entrenched North Vietnamese forces.
1961
A white mob attacks civil rights activists in Montgomery, Alabama.
1951
During the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Captain James Jabara becomes the first jet air ace in history.
1942
Japan completes the conquest of Burma.
1941
Germany invades Crete by air.
1939
Pan American Airways starts the first regular passenger service across the Atlantic.
1932
Amelia Earhart lands near Londonderry, Ireland, to become the first woman fly solo across the Atlantic.
1930
The first airplane is catapulted from a dirigible.
1927
Charles Lindbergh takes off from New York for Paris.
1902
The U.S. military occupation of Cuba ends.
1874
Levi Strauss begins marketing blue jeans with copper rivets.
1862
President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, providing 250 million acres of free land to settlers in the West.
1861
North Carolina becomes the last state to secede from the Union.
1859
A force of Austrians collide with Piedmontese cavalry at the village of Montebello, in northern Italy.
1799
Napoleon Bonaparte orders a withdrawal from his siege of St. Jean d’Acre in Egypt.
1784
The Peace of Versailles ends a war between France, England, and Holland.
1775
North Carolina becomes the first colony to declare its independence.
1774
Parliament passes the Coercive Acts to punish the colonists for their increasingly anti-British behavior. The acts close the port of Boston.
1690
England passes the Act of Grace, forgiving followers of James II.
1674
John Sobieski becomes Poland’s first king.
1520
Hernando Cortes defeats Spanish troops sent against him in Mexico.
1347
Cola di Rienzo takes the title of tribune in Rome.
1303
A peace treaty is signed between England and France.