June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Madonna
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
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
-
1792
221 years ago
President George Washington signs the Postal Service Act to establish snail mail, aka the U.S. Post Office Department.
-
1934
79 years ago
Ernest O. Lawrence obtains a patent for his cyclotron, earning him the nickname "Atom Smasher."
-
1962
51 years ago
John Glenn takes off in the Friendship 7 capsule, and becomes the first man to orbit the Earth.
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1974
39 years ago
Cher files for separation from her bandmate and husband, Sonny Bono, after nearly 10 years of marriage.
February 20
Born on This Day
-
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
profile id: 9542179
profile name: Kurt Cobain profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9542158
profile name: Ivana Trump profile occupation: Model, Television Personality, Writer
profile id: 9542465
profile name: Cindy Crawford profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress, ...
profile id: 9506260
profile name: Hunter S. Thompson profile occupation: Activist, Journalist, Author
profile id: 9325072
profile name: Alexander Haig profile occupation: General, Diplomat, Government Official
profile id: 9435986
profile name: Robert Edwin Peary profile occupation: Explorer
profile id: 9278324
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
profile id: 9524786
profile name: George Washington profile occupation: U.S. President
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profile name: Ernest O. Lawrence profile occupation: Physicist
profile id: 9313269
profile name: John Glenn profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 9246148
profile name: Cher profile occupation: Film Actress
profile id: 9542076
profile name: Sonny Bono profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 37249
profile name: Norman Rockwell profile occupation: Painter
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profile name: Ricky Nelson profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 507696
profile name: Jay-Z profile occupation: Rapper
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profile name: Jeff Gordon profile occupation: Race Car Driver
profile id: 37113
profile name: José Zorrilla profile occupation: Poet
profile id: 31656
profile name: Sparky Anderson profile occupation: Coach
profile id: 222420
profile name: Patricia Richardson profile occupation: Television Actress
profile id: 189135
profile name: Edward James Olmos profile occupation: Film Actor
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Upcoming Birthdays
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José Zorrilla
- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous People Named José
José Zorrilla
Playwright, Poet / 1817 - 1893
Spanish poet and dramatist José Zorrilla, a major figure of the nationalist wing of the Spanish Romantic movement, made his name with verse leyendas (legends).
February 21, 1817
Poet -
Sparky Anderson
- In these groups:
- Baseball Nicknames
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Coaches
Sparky Anderson
Coach / 1934 - 2010
Sparky Anderson was the manager of baseball’s Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers, winning three World Series championships.
February 22, 1934
Coach -
Patricia Richardson
- In these groups:
- TV Moms: 1990s
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Actresses
Patricia Richardson
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1951 -
Patricia Richardson is a television and film actress, best known for her role as Jill Taylor in the 1990's sitcom Home Improvement, opposite Tim Allen.
February 23, 1951
Television Actress -
Edward James Olmos
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Actors
- Famous Movie Teachers
- Super Bowl Halftime Performers
Edward James Olmos
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1947 -
Actor Edward James Olmos earned an Oscar nomination for Stand and Deliver before starring on TV's Battlestar Galactica.
February 24, 1947
Film Actor
Famous Pisceans
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Jesse Jackson Jr.
- In these groups:
- Famous People Involved in Sex Scandals
- Elite and Indiscreet
- Famous Pisceans
Jesse Jackson Jr.
U.S. Representative, Journalist / 1965 -
Jesse Jackson Jr. is the son of the famous Reverend Jesse Jackson. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2012.
March 11, 1965
U.S. Representative, Journalist -
David Satcher
- In these groups:
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous People Named David
- Famous People Born in 1941
David Satcher
Doctor / 1941 -
David Satcher is a physician who served under President Bill Clinton as surgeon general from 1998 to 2002.March 2, 1941
Doctor
