All Events

Historical Events on December 20

  • South Carolina

    1860

    South Carolina becomes the first state to attempt to secede from the United States.

  • Battle of Verdun

    1916

    World War I: The battle of Verdun results in a French victory after more than 9 months of intense fighting.

  • American Volunteer Group

    1941

    World War II: First battle of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the "Flying Tigers" in Kunming, China.

  • Imperial Japanese Army Air Service

    1942

    World War II: Japanese air forces bomb Calcutta, India.

  • Cardiff

    1955

    Cardiff is proclaimed the capital city of Wales, United Kingdom.

  • MV Doña Paz

    1987

    In the worst peacetime sea disaster, the passenger ferry Doña Paz sinks after colliding with the oil tanker Vector in the Tablas Strait in the Philippines, killing an estimated 4,000 people (1,749 official).

  • Missouri

    1991

    A Missouri court sentences the Palestinian militant Zein Isa and his wife Maria to death for the honor killing of their daughter Palestina.

  • American Airlines Flight 965

    1995

    American Airlines Flight 965, a Boeing 757, crashes into a mountain 50 km north of Cali, Colombia killing 159.

  • Elizabeth II

    2007

    Elizabeth II becomes the oldest monarch of the United Kingdom, surpassing Queen Victoria, who lived for 81 years, 7 months and 29 days.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on December 20

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on December 20

19. December

21. December