November 20: Fun Facts about Today in History

Today in History

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Learn about the most intriguing events and historical facts that occurred on November 20 throughout history. The 324th day of the Gregorian calendar is November 20th. The Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia gained strength as more than 200,000 demonstrators assembled in Prague, while the Nuremberg trials of suspected Nazi war criminals began in Nuremberg’s Palace of Justice on this day.

The 20th of November falls under the sign of Scorpio. Robert F. Kennedy and actress Bo Derek were both born on November 20th. Today is Universal Children’s Day and Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Event
(November 20, 1820) The Essex (an American whaling ship) was rammed by an 80-ton sperm whale and sank subsequently, creating the climax scene in Herman Melville's Moby Dick (1851). photo source: wikimedia.org
Advertisements (November 20, 1917) At the Battle of Cambrai, the British deployed tanks effectively for the first time in warfare. British forces score early gains over German lines, but are eventually repulsed. photo source: wikimedia.org
(November 20, 1947) At Westminster Abbey in London, Princess Elizabeth marries Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, who later becomes the Duke of Edinburgh. photo source: wikimedia.org
(November 20, 1992) A big fire broke out at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, destroying 115 rooms but leaving the priceless art collection largely unharmed; the damage took nearly five years to rebuild. photo source: wikimedia.org