Today in History: A Recap of March 20th

Significant Events that Occurred on March 20th

March 20th has been witness to many significant events throughout history. Here are some of the most notable ones:

• 1602: The Dutch East India Company was established.
• 1815: Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping from exile on the island of Elba.
• 1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was first published in book form.
• 1916: Albert Einstein published his theory of general relativity.
• 1965: The first-ever spacewalk was performed by Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov.
• 1995: Aum Shinrikyo cult members released sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system, killing 13 people and injuring over 5,500 others.
• 2014: The United Nations General Assembly declared March 20th as the International Day of Happiness.

These events, among others, have made March 20th an important day in history.

Historical Births and Deaths on this Day

March 20th has been the birth and death anniversary of many notable figures throughout history. Here are some of them:

Births:

• 43 BC: Ovid, Roman poet
• 1828: Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian playwright
• 1856: Frederick Winslow Taylor, American engineer and management consultant
• 1922: Carl Reiner, American actor, comedian, and director
• 1957: Spike Lee, American film director, producer, and writer

Deaths:

• 1727: Sir Isaac Newton, English mathematician, physicist, and astronomer
• 1891: Georges Seurat, French painter
• 1959: Lester Young, American jazz saxophonist
• 1991: Steve Marriott, English musician and songwriter
• 2018: Linda Brown, American civil rights activist who was the named plaintiff in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and their legacies continue to influence and inspire people today.

Milestones in Science and Technology on March 20th

March 20th has witnessed several significant milestones in the field of science and technology throughout history. Here are some of them:

• 1727: Sir Isaac Newton died. He is known for his contributions to the field of physics, including the laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation.
• 1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was published, which contributed to the abolitionist movement and highlighted the cruelty of slavery in the United States.
• 1916: Albert Einstein published his theory of general relativity, which revolutionized the field of physics and our understanding of space and time.
• 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their first Bed-In for Peace in Amsterdam to protest against the Vietnam War.
• 1985: Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a grueling 1,049-mile race across Alaska.

These milestones in science, literature, and social activism have left a lasting impact on society and continue to shape the world we live in today.

March 20th in Sports History

March 20th has been a significant day in the history of sports, with notable events and milestones taking place on this day. Here are some of them:

• 1894: The first Stanley Cup playoff game was played between Montreal and Ottawa.
• 1958: Sugar Ray Robinson regained the world middleweight boxing title for the fifth time by defeating Carmen Basilio in a 15-round split decision.
• 1968: The first Special Olympics was held in Chicago, Illinois, providing a platform for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in various sports.
• 1977: The first professional rugby union game was played in the United States, with New York playing Old Blue in the first ever Rugby Super League match.
• 2015: The International Olympic Committee announced that Los Angeles would host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

These events demonstrate the significant role that sports plays in our culture and society, bringing people together and inspiring athletes and fans alike.

Cultural and Artistic Happenings on this Day in History

March 20th has been a day of cultural and artistic significance throughout history, with several notable events and achievements taking place. Here are some of them:

• 1727: The first performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St Matthew Passion” took place in Leipzig, Germany.
• 1854: The Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, as a response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the expansion of slavery.
• 1956: Tunisia gained independence from France, becoming the first country in the Maghreb region to do so.
• 1976: Patty Hearst was convicted of bank robbery, following her kidnapping by the Symbionese Liberation Army.
• 2012: The Hunger Games, based on the popular book series by Suzanne Collins, premiered in Los Angeles, California.

These events highlight the diverse range of cultural and artistic achievements that have taken place on March 20th, from music and literature to politics and film.