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On this day in history - October 20

What Happened On This Day – October 20

  • 2011 Muammar Gaddafi is Captured

    The deposed leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, is captured by the National Transitional Council Forces. He was killed by the troops soon after.

  • 1982 Luzhniki Disaster

    A stampede during a UEFA Cup soccer (football) match between Dutch club Haarlem and the Moscovian football club, Spartak at the Lenin Stadium in Moscow left about 60 people dead.

  • 1973 Sydney Opera House Opens its Doors

    The iconic building, which was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was designed by Danish architect Jørn Oberg Utzon. Construction on the performing arts center began in March 1959 and cost over $100 million.

  • 1968 Jacqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis

    Former American first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, married Greek shipping magnet, Aristotle Onassis

  • 1962 War Breaks Out Between India and China

    The month-long border dispute began after the Chinese launched a two-pronged attack on the border between the two countries. During the duration of hostilities, China and India did not officially declare war on each other nor cut off any diplomatic ties. The conflict ended with China taking control of Aksai Chin and both countries accepting a de facto border along what is now known as Line of Control.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
October 20

  • 1971 Snoop Dogg

    American rapper, producer, actor

  • 1958 Viggo Mortensen

    American actor

  • 1950 Tom Petty

    American singer-songwriter, musician

  • 1931 Mickey Mantle

    American baseball player

  • 1859 John Dewey

    American philosopher, psychologist

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
October 20

  • 2011 Muammar Gaddafi

    Libyan politician, Prime Minister of Libya

  • 1984 Paul Dirac

    English physicist, Nobel Prize laureate

  • 1964 Herbert Hoover

    American politician, 31st President of the United States

  • 1950 Henry L. Stimson

    American statesman, lawyer, politician

  • 1890 Richard Francis Burton

    English soldier, geographer, diplomat