✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 171st day of the year

June 20

A look at June 20 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Jean Moulin and Jean-Marie Le Pen, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2003

    Wikimedia Foundation

    The Wikimedia Foundation is founded in St. Petersburg, Florida.

    American charitable organization
  2. 1994

    Imam Reza shrine bombing

    The 1994 Imam Reza shrine bomb explosion in Iran leaves at least 25 dead and 70 to 300 injured.

    1994 anti-Shia terrorist attack
  3. 1982

    International Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide

    The International Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide opens in Tel Aviv, despite attempts by the Turkish government to cancel it, as it included presentations on the Armenian genocide.

    1982 conference on genocide
  4. 1960

    Mali Federation

    The Mali Federation gains independence from France (it later splits into Mali and Senegal).

    1959–1960 French territory then
  5. 1956

    Venezuela

    A Venezuelan Super-Constellation crashes in the Atlantic Ocean off Asbury Park, New Jersey, killing 74 people.

    Country in South America
  6. 1943

    World War II

    World War II: The Royal Air Force launches Operation Bellicose, the first shuttle bombing raid of the war. Avro Lancaster bombers damage the V-2 rocket production facilities at the Zeppelin Works while en route to an air base in Algeria.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1926

    28th International Eucharistic Congress

    The 28th International Eucharistic Congress begins in Chicago, with over 250,000 spectators attending the opening procession.

    Catholic gathering in 1926
  8. 1921

    Buckingham and Carnatic Mills

    Workers of Buckingham and Carnatic Mills in the city of Chennai, India, begin a four-month strike.

    Textile mill in Chennai,
  9. 1900

    Boxer Rebellion

    Boxer Rebellion: The Imperial Chinese Army begins a 55-day siege of the Legation Quarter in Beijing, China.

    1899–1901 anti-foreign uprising in
  10. 1782

    Congress of the Confederation

    The U.S. Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States.

    Governing body of the
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Famous birthday twins

Born on June 20

Jean Moulin

b. 1899

French soldier and engineer

Jean-Marie Le Pen

b. 1928

French intelligence officer and politician

Xanana Gusmão

b. 1946

Timorese soldier and politician, 1st President of East Timor

Neil Trudinger

b. 1942

Australian mathematician and theorist

Lionel Richie

b. 1949

American singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, and actor

Nicole Kidman

b. 1967

American-Australian actress

Frank Lampard

b. 1978

English footballer

Jacques Offenbach

b. 1819

German-French cellist and composer

Deaths

  • 1978Mark Robson (film director), Canadian-American director and producer
  • 1966Georges Lemaître, Belgian priest, physicist, and astronomer
  • 1945Bruno Frank, German author, poet, and playwright
  • 1888Johannes Zukertort, Polish-English chess player
  • 1800Abraham Gotthelf Kästner, German mathematician and academic
  • 840Louis the Pious, Carolingian emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Adalbert of Magdeburg
  • —Christian feast day: Florentina
  • —Christian feast day: John of Matera
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Margareta Ebner
  • —Christian feast day: Methodius of Olympus
  • —Christian feast day: Pope Silverius
  • —Christian feast day: June 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —Day of the National Flag (Argentina)

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