in World & History

July 20: Fun Facts about Today in History

by James updated April 16, 2022, 5:10 am

Today in History

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Learn about the most intriguing events and historical facts that occurred on July 20 throughout history. In the Gregorian calendar, July 20th is the 201st day of the year. On this day, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first people, land on the moon from the Apollo 11 spacecraft, while the US Viking 1 lander settles on Mars near Chryse Planitia ( first Martian landing).

The 20th of July falls under the sign of Cancer. Alexander the Great, Carlos Santana, and Gregor Mendel all had famous birthdays. National Moon Day and National Lollipop Day are both celebrated today.

Event
(July 20, 1906) A new electoral legislation was adopted in Finland, granting the country the world's first and equal right to vote. Finland was the first European country to grant women the right to vote.
Advertisements (July 20, 1940) The first freeway to open in California is the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
(July 20, 1960) Sirimavo Bandaranaike is chosen as the world's first elected female head of government by Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
(July 20, 1968) On Soldier Field in Chicago, the first International Special Olympics Summer Games are held with around 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.
(July 20, 1969) The Eagle lunar landing module, carrying US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin ("Buzz") Aldrin, arrived on the Moon on this day in 1969, and Armstrong became the first person to walk on its surface several hours later.
Advertisements (July 20, 2013) Helen Thomas, an American journalist who broke down several barriers for women journalists and was most recognised for her coverage of US presidents, died in Washington, D.C.
(Died on July 20, 2020) Michael Brooks, political commentator (b. 1983).

Written by James

James has always been intrigued by dinosaurs, the universe, technology, and animals. With a Bachelor of Computer Science and years of writing expertise, he joined World Amazing Facts in 2021 as a staff writer.

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