What Happened on December 20?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 20
It's a Wonderful Life
Year:
1946
It's a Wonderful Life premieres at the Globe Theatre in New York to mixed reviews.
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1946 Nankai earthquake
Year:
1946
An earthquake in Nankaidō, Japan causes a tsunami which kills at least one thousand people and destroys 36,000 homes.
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Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Year:
1942
World War II: Japanese air forces bomb Calcutta, India.
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World War II
Year:
1941
World War II: First battle of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the "Flying Tigers", in Kunming, China.
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Indonesian National Revolution
Year:
1948
Indonesian National Revolution: The Dutch military captures Yogyakarta, the temporary capital of the newly formed Republic of Indonesia.
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Experimental Breeder Reactor I
Year:
1951
The EBR-1 in Arco, Idaho becomes the first nuclear power plant to generate electricity. The electricity powered four light bulbs.
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Boeing 707
Year:
1957
The initial production version of the Boeing 707 makes its first flight.
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Cardiff
Year:
1955
Cardiff is proclaimed the capital city of Wales, United Kingdom.
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United States Air Force
Year:
1952
A United States Air Force C-124 crashes and burns in Moses Lake, Washington, killing 87 of the 115 people on board.
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Captain America Comics
Year:
1940
Captain America Comics #1, containing the first appearance of the superhero Captain America, is published.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 20
George Roy Hill
Year of birth:
1921
George Roy Hill, American director, producer, and screenwriter (died 2002)
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Väinö Linna
Year of birth:
1920
Väinö Linna, Finnish author (died 1992)
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Jean Marchand
Year of birth:
1918
Jean Marchand, Canadian trade union leader and politician, 43rd Secretary of State for Canada (died 1988)
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David Bohm
Year of birth:
1917
David Bohm, American-English physicist, neuropsychologist, and philosopher (died 1992)
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Beverly Pepper
Year of birth:
1922
Beverly Pepper, American sculptor and painter (died 2020)
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Judy LaMarsh
Year of birth:
1924
Judy LaMarsh, Canadian soldier, lawyer, and politician, 42nd Secretary of State for Canada (died 1980)
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Otto Graf Lambsdorff
Year of birth:
1926
Otto Graf Lambsdorff, German lawyer and politician, German Federal Minister of Economics (died 2009)
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Benito Lorenzi
Year of birth:
1925
Benito Lorenzi, Italian footballer (died 2007)
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Charlie Callas
Year of birth:
1924
Charlie Callas, American actor and comedian (died 2011)
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Cahit Külebi
Year of birth:
1917
Cahit Külebi, Turkish poet and author (died 1997)
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 20
Martin O'Meara
Year of death:
1935
Martin O'Meara, Irish-Australian sergeant, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1882)
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Erich Ludendorff
Year of death:
1937
Erich Ludendorff, German general (born 1865)
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Annie Armstrong
Year of death:
1938
Annie Armstrong, American missionary (born 1850)
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Hans Langsdorff
Year of death:
1939
Hans Langsdorff, German captain (born 1894)
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Émile Loubet
Year of death:
1929
Émile Loubet, French lawyer and politician, 8th President of France (born 1838)
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João Ferreira Sardo
Year of death:
1925
João Ferreira Sardo, the founder of Gafanha da Nazaré, also known as Prior Sardo (born 1873).
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Lucien Petit-Breton
Year of death:
1917
Lucien Petit-Breton, French-Argentinian cyclist (born 1882)
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Philip Fysh
Year of death:
1919
Philip Fysh, English-Australian politician, 12th Premier of Tasmania (born 1835)
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Linton Hope
Year of death:
1920
Linton Hope, English sailor and architect (born 1863)
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Julius Richard Petri
Year of death:
1921
Julius Richard Petri, German microbiologist (born 1852)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 20
December 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Yalda Night
Earliest date for Winter solstice's eve (Northern Hemisphere), and its related observances: Yaldā (Iran)
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International Human Solidarity Day
International Human Solidarity Day (International)
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Public holidays in Macau
Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (Macau)
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Katharina von Bora
Christian feast day: Katharina von Bora (Lutheran)
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Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne
Christian feast day: Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne
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Dominic of Silos
Christian feast day: Dominic of Silos
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O Antiphons
Christian feast day: O Clavis
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Bo Aung Kyaw Day
Bo Aung Kyaw Day (Myanmar)
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Cafres
Abolition of Slavery Day, also known as Fête des Cafres (Réunion, French Guiana)
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