1808
Activism
Birth of Laura Smith Haviland
Birth of abolitionist, educator, and reformer Laura Smith Haviland in Canada to Quaker parents.
View detailsThis Day
20December
22 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1812
Exploration
Probable death at Fort Manuel Lisa
Sacagawea's probable death recorded at Fort Manuel Lisa, marking an end to her remarkable journey.
View details1861
Arts
Ivana Kobilca's Birth
Ivana Kobilca was born on December 20, 1861, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
View details1865
Arts
Birth of Elsie de Wolfe
Elsie de Wolfe was born on December 20, 1865, in New York City.
View details1870
Science
First woman to obtain an MD from the University of Paris
Garrett received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Sorbonne, becoming the first woman to earn an MD in France.
View details1886
Science
Birth of Hazel Virginia Hotchkiss
Hazel Virginia Hotchkiss was born in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California, later becoming a foundational figure in women's tennis.
View details1904
Literature
Birth of Eugenia Ginzburg
Eugenia Ginzburg was born in Moscow, Russia on December 20, 1904.
View details1921
Arts
Broadway debut in 'Shuffle Along'
Josephine Baker appeared on Broadway in 'Shuffle Along,' a pioneering all-Black musical.
View details1938
1938
Activism
Death of Annie Walker Armstrong
Annie Walker Armstrong died on December 20, 1938, leaving a lasting legacy of women's missionary leadership.
View details1939
Arts
Opens Salon of Contemporary Negro Art
Savage opened the Salon of Contemporary Negro Art, the first U.S. gallery owned and directed by an African American woman.
View details1954
Literature
Birth of Sandra Cisneros
Sandra Cisneros was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 20, 1954.
View details1977
Politics
Death of Nellie Tayloe Ross
Nellie Tayloe Ross died in Washington, D.C., at age 101 after a lifetime of public service.
View details1984
Arts
Death of Grace Cossington Smith
Grace Cossington Smith died at Roseville, Sydney, New South Wales, aged 92.
View details1993
Law
“Oprah Bill” National Child Protection Act signed into law
President Bill Clinton signs the National Child Protection Act, known as the “Oprah Bill,” after Winfrey’s advocacy.
View details2000
2005
Science
Antarctic peak named Mount Ocampo in her honor
An Antarctic peak named Mount Ocampo recognized her work in extreme microbial studies.
View details2007
Arts
Death in San Antonio, Texas
Lydia Mendoza passed away in San Antonio, Texas, marking the end of a historic musical era.
View details2010
Sports
FIFA World Player of the Year 2010
Marta won the 2010 FIFA World Player of the Year award, her fifth consecutive win.
View details2014
Arts
Performance at Vatican Christmas concert
Performed at Vatican Christmas concert on December 20, 2014.
View details2019
Science
Legislative Naming of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory
On December 20, 2019, the U.S. designated the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
View details2023
Activism
Boston mayor's formal apology for wrongful arrests linked to Carol Stuart case
On December 20, 2023, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu formally apologized to Black men wrongfully targeted and arrested in connection with Carol Stuart's murder.
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