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On This Day in History: January 20

Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 20th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.

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1265 CE, January 20

Simon de Montfort summons the first English Parliament on January 20, 1265 to include knights from counties and burgesses (representatives from towns) alongside nobles and clergy. The action was a way to consolidate power after capturing King Henry III, and his heir, Prince Edward, at the Battle of Lewes.

Although Montfort rule did not last long, his concept of a more representative Parliament known as Simon de Montfort's Parliament, set an important precedent for future parliaments. Henry III's son and successor, Edward I, adopted the practice of including knights and burgesses in parliament, which became standard procedure by the end of the 13th century.

1320 CE, January 20

King Władysław I of Poland was crowned on January 20, 1320 at Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, a significant event that officially reestablished the Kingdom ending the period of feudal fragmentation.

1327 CE, January 20

Edward II of England is formally deposed on January 20, 1327, becoming the first English King to be deposed. He was imprisoned at Berkeley Castle, where he is believed to have been murdered on September 21, 1327.

His son, Edward III, becomes king, at age 14 on January 25, 1327, with Isabella and Mortimer ruling in his name until 1330, when Edward III staged a coup on October 19, 1330 to take power himself.

1382 CE, January 20

King Richard II of England marries Anne of Bohemia on January 20, 1382 at Westminster Abbey. Anne was the daughter of the Emperor Charles IV of Bohemia; the marriage helped form an alliance with the Holy Roman Empire against France. Anne was crowned Queen on January 22.

They were both only 15 when they marry but the union developed into a deep, affectionate bond. Anne died from the plague in 1394, leading to Richards profound grief at her early death, which led him to demolish Sheen Manor where she died.

1567 CE, January 20

The Battle of Rio de Janeiro (also known as the Battle of Guanabara Bay)takes place on January 20, 1567. It was a small but significant skirmish in which a Portuguese force under Governor-General Mem de Sá attacked and destroyed the French settlement of Henriville.

The French, though greater in number, were forced to flee, allowing the Portuguese to reassert control over Guanabara Bay. The battle ended the French colonization attempt (France Antarctique) and solidified Portuguese rule.

1661 CE, January 20

Peter Lely is appointed as Charles II's Principal Painter in Ordinary, c. January 20, 1661 with a stipend of £200 per year. Lely goes on to paint the first portrait of a reigning monarch, King Charles II of England, More

1663 CE, January 20

England's King Charles II grants a trading charter on January 20, 1663 to the Royal African Company. The charter included a monopoly on the slave trade in West Africa. More

1953 CE, January 20

Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated as the 34th President of the United States on January 20, 1953 marking the start of his two terms, with Richard Nixon as Vice President.

1977 CE, January 20

Jimmy Carter is inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States on January 20, 1977 with Walter Mondale as vice president.

1981 CE, January 20

The Iran Hostage Crisis came to an end within hours from President Ronald Reagan inauguration on January 20, 1981 and the hostages were brought to Germany for family reunions. More

1981 CE, January 20

Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States on January 20, 1981, marking the start of his two terms, with George H.W. Bush as Vice President.

1989 CE, January 20

George H. W. Bush is inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States. on January 20, 1989 with Dan Quayle as Vice President.

1996 CE, January 20

Yasser Arafat is elected President of the newly created Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 20, 1996 with 88.1 percent of the popular vote and a high voter turnout, despite the campaign by his rivals to abstain.

2009 CE, January 20

Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009 with Joe Biden as Vice President.

2017 CE, January 20

Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017 with Mike Pence as Vice President.

2020 CE, January 20

The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was diagnosed in Snohomish County, WA. The patient from had returned to the United States from Wuhan on January 15, 2020. The Seattle area became an early epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.

Notably, 39 residents of a nursing home in Kirkland, WA, died from complications from the virus during a span of one month. The CDC reported that 14 U.S. coronavirus cases were reported by public health agencies between January 21 and February 23, 2020; all patients had traveled to China. On February 26, the first non-travel case was confirmed in California, and the first U.S. death was reported on February 29. More than 110 Million cases were diagnosed in the U.S. alone.