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Explore the historical events that shaped our world on October 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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The First Crusade siege of Antioch begins, as the forces led by Bohemond I of Antioch, Raymond of Toulouse, and Godfrey of Bouillon, surrounded the city. The siege lasted for nearly eight months, a period marked by severe hardship, including starvation and disease, the Crusaders ultimately captured the city in June 1098, largely due to a betrayal from within.
The city of La Paz is founded in Bolivia by the Spanish Captain Alonso de Mendoza. The full name of the city was originally Nuestra Señora de La Paz. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka.
Maria Theresa , at 23 yeas of age, becomes the ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy following the death of her father, Emperor Charles VI. A number of European powers, including Frederick the Great of Prussia, challenged her claim, initiating the War of the Austrian Succession. Despite the initial challenges, she proved to be a formidable ruler, strengthening the monarchy and moving towards a more modern state.
The Naval Battle of Navarino takes place, during which combined British, French, and Russian forces defeat the Ottoman Empire's fleet during the Greek War of Independence. The decisive battle effectively ended Ottoman naval power, leading to the independence of Greece and the rise of European nationalism.
General Douglas MacArthur lands on the Philippine island of Leyte and delivers his famous “I Have Returned” speech. It is one of the most iconic phrases of the war, coupled with one of the most famous photographs, that captured the moment he waded ashore. More
The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) focused its activities on investigating universities, labor unions, and the film industry. The committee called Hollywood actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters to testify regarding communist influence on motion pictures. Ten men who refused to state their political affiliations, claiming First Amendment rights, were imprisoned for contempt of Congress.
The “Hollywood Ten” became the first victims of a blacklist by major movie studios that curtailed hundreds of careers before it ended in 1960. HUAC's legacy remains controversial.
Critics condemn its aggressive tactics, arguing they constituted a politically motivated "witch hunt" that violated First Amendment rights; while supporters argued that its actions were a necessary response to national security concerns during the Cold War. The committee's actions contributed to a climate of fear and suspicion, profoundly impacting American society and careers for decades. More
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Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed by rebel forces near his hometown of Sirte, during the First Libyan Civil War. He was found hiding in a drainage pipe after a NATO airstrike hit his convoy as he was attempting to flee the city. His death marked the end of his 42-year rule and the overthrow of his government by the National Transitional Council (NTC).
NATO's military intervention was authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which called for a no-fly zone and permitted "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. NATO aircraft patrolled the skies enforcing a no-fly zone to prevent Gaddafi's air force from bombing civilian areas. NATO also conducted air and naval strikes against Gaddafi's military assets on the ground, which some have criticized as going beyond the resolution's mandate to protect civilians. More
