HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY

On This Day in History

Discover key historical events within the Genesis range (1950–2049) that occurred on this calendar day, and claim their commemorative registry plaques.

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Historical chronology for April 20

April 20

12 historical milestones registered between 1950 and 2049

April 20, 1968 AVAILABLE

Enoch Powell, a British Conservative member of Parliament, made a controversial speech in opposition to immigration and anti-discrimination legislation, resulting in his removal from the shadow cabinet.

Wikipedia: Enoch Powell
Enoch Powell
April 20, 1968 AVAILABLE

Pierre Trudeau was sworn in as prime minister of Canada, succeeding Lester B. Pearson.

Wikipedia: Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
April 20, 1968 AVAILABLE

South African Airways Flight 228 crashed shortly after take-off from Windhoek in South West Africa, resulting in 123 deaths.

Wikipedia: South African Airways Flight 228
South African Airways Flight 228
April 20, 1978 AVAILABLE

Korean Air Lines Flight 902 was shot down after violating Soviet airspace and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Wikipedia: Korean Air Lines Flight 902
Korean Air Lines Flight 902
April 20, 1985 AVAILABLE

The Animal Liberation Front raided a laboratory at the University of California, Riverside, rescuing 467 animals and causing $700,000 in damage.

Wikipedia: Animal Liberation Front
Animal Liberation Front
April 20, 1999 AVAILABLE

Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold carried out a massacre at Columbine High School, killing 13 people before committing suicide.

Wikipedia: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
April 20, 2004 AVAILABLE

An incomplete tunnel leading to the Nicoll Highway MRT station in Singapore collapsed, resulting in four deaths and the station's relocation.

Wikipedia: Nicoll Highway MRT station
Nicoll Highway MRT station
April 20, 2008 AVAILABLE

American racing driver Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar auto race.

Wikipedia: Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
April 20, 2008 AVAILABLE

Fernando Lugo became the first candidate not from the Colorado Party candidate to be elected President of Paraguay in 61 years.

Wikipedia: Fernando Lugo
Fernando Lugo
April 20, 2010 AVAILABLE

An explosion on Deepwater Horizon, an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico, resulted in the largest marine oil spill in history.

Wikipedia: Deepwater Horizon explosion
Deepwater Horizon explosion
April 20, 2021 AVAILABLE

Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges in the murder of George Floyd by a Minnesota court.

Wikipedia: Derek Chauvin
April 20, 2023 AVAILABLE

SpaceX's Starship launched for the first time before exploding four minutes into flight.

Wikipedia: SpaceX
SpaceX