On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
February 20
Events on This Day
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1792
221 years agoPresident George Washington signs the Postal Service Act to establish snail mail, aka the U.S. Post Office Department.
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1934
79 years agoErnest O. Lawrence obtains a patent for his cyclotron, earning him the nickname "Atom Smasher."
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1962
51 years agoJohn Glenn takes off in the Friendship 7 capsule, and becomes the first man to orbit the Earth.
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1974
39 years agoCher files for separation from her bandmate and husband, Sonny Bono, after nearly 10 years of marriage.
February 20
Born on This Day
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Rihanna
- In these groups:
- Hair Dos and Don'ts
- Chris Brown and Rihanna
- Celebrities With Court-side Seats
Rihanna
Singer / 1988 -
International R&B star Rihanna released her first album in 2005 and is known for such hits as "Umbrella," Pon de Replay," "SOS" and "Disturbia."
Born: February 20, 1988
Age: 25 years old
Birthplace:
Occupation: Singer -
Ansel Adams
- In these groups:
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Environmental Activists
- Famous Photographers
Ansel Adams
Environmental Activist, Photographer / 1902 - 1984
Ansel Adams was an American photographer best known for his iconic images of the American West, including Yosemite National Park.
1902 | 82 years old
Environmental Activist, Photographer -
Sidney Poitier
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Celebrity Enlistees
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
Sidney Poitier
Film Actor, Filmmaker / 1927 -
Sidney Poitier became the first black Academy Award winner in 1964, receiving the honor for his performance in Lilies of the Field (1963).
1927 | 86 years old
Film Actor, Filmmaker -
Kurt Cobain
- In these groups:
- The 27 Club
- Mysterious Deaths
- Famous Lefties
Kurt Cobain
Singer / 1967 - 1994
A talented, troubled grunge performer, Kurt Cobain became a rock legend with his band Nirvana in the 1990s and committed suicide at his Seattle home in 1994.
Born: February 20, 1967
Birthplace: Aberdeen, Washington, United States
Occupation: Singer -
Ivana Trump
- In these groups:
- Kentucky Derby Hats
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Models
Ivana Trump
Model, Television Personality, Writer / 1949 -
Ivana Trump was once the glamorous wife of real estate mogul Donald Trump.
1949 | 64 years old
Model, Television Personality, Writer -
Cindy Crawford
- In these groups:
- Famous Moms
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Actresses
Cindy Crawford
Film Actress, Television Actress, Entrepreneur, Model, Television Personality / 1966 -
Super model Cindy Crawford rose to fame with her athletic build and all-American looks. She signed multi-million dollar endorsements with Revlon and Pepsi.1966 | 47 years old
Film Actress, Television Actress, ...
February 20
Died on This Day
-
Hunter S. Thompson
- In these groups:
- Imbibers
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Cancerians
Hunter S. Thompson
Activist, Journalist, Author / 1937 - 2005
A counterculture icon, Hunter S. Thompson was an American journalist best known for writing 1971's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and creating "Gonzo journalism."
Died: February 20, 2005
Age: 67 years old
Place: Woody Creek, Colorado , United States
Occupation: Activist, Journalist, Author -
Alexander Haig
- In these groups:
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Military Leaders
- Famous Generals
Alexander Haig
General, Diplomat, Government Official / 1924 - 2010
Alexander Haig was White House chief-of-staff under Richard Nixon, commander of NATO, and US Secretary of State under Ronald Reagan.
2010 | 85 years old
General, Diplomat, Government Official -
Robert Edwin Peary
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Explorers
- Famous People Named Robert
Robert Edwin Peary
Explorer / 1856 - 1920
American explorer Robert Edwin Peary is best known for claiming to be the first person to reach the geographic North Pole.
1920 | 63 years old
Explorer -
Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass
Civil Rights Activist / 1818 - 1895
Frederick Douglass, a former slave and eminent human rights leader in the abolition movement, was the first black citizen to hold a high U.S. government rank.
Died: February 20, 1895
Age: 77 years old
Place: Washington, D.C. , United States
Occupation: Civil Rights Activist -
Gene Siskel
- In these groups:
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous People Named Gene
- Famous Television Personalities
Gene Siskel
Television Personality / 1946 - 1999
Film critic Gene Siskel reviewed movies with co-host Roger Ebert on the nationally syndicated program Siskel & Ebert & the Movies.
1999 | 53 years old
Television Personality -
Sandra Dee
- In these groups:
- Girl Scouts
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Actresses
Sandra Dee
Film Actress / 1942 - 2005
Sandra Dee became the “Queen of Teens” in 1950s Hollywood, appearing in such films as Gidget and A Summer Place.
2005 | 62 years old
Film Actress
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profile name: Ansel Adams profile occupation: Environmental Activist, Photographer
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profile name: Sidney Poitier profile occupation: Film Actor, Filmmaker
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profile name: Kurt Cobain profile occupation: Singer
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profile name: Ivana Trump profile occupation: Model, Television Personality, Writer
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profile name: Cindy Crawford profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress, ...
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profile name: Hunter S. Thompson profile occupation: Activist, Journalist, Author
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profile name: Alexander Haig profile occupation: General, Diplomat, Government Official
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profile name: Robert Edwin Peary profile occupation: Explorer
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profile name: Frederick Douglass profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist
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profile name: Gene Siskel profile occupation: Television Personality
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profile name: Sandra Dee profile occupation: Film Actress
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profile name: George Washington profile occupation: U.S. President
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profile name: Ernest O. Lawrence profile occupation: Physicist
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profile name: John Glenn profile occupation: U.S. Representative
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profile name: Cher profile occupation: Film Actress
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profile name: Sonny Bono profile occupation: U.S. Representative
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profile name: Norman Rockwell profile occupation: Painter
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profile name: Ricky Nelson profile occupation: Film Actor
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profile name: Jay-Z profile occupation: Rapper
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profile name: José Zorrilla profile occupation: Poet
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profile name: Patricia Richardson profile occupation: Television Actress
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