November 20: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On this day in 1947, the future Queen Elizabeth II married Philip Mountbatten in a historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Quick Facts for November 20
- Zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Day of year: 324
About November 20
November 20 serves as a profound intersection of global political shifts and human milestones. In 1910, the course of Mexican history was forever altered when Francisco I. Madero released the Plan de San Luis Potosí, an act that ignited the Mexican Revolution against the long-standing rule of Porfirio Díaz. This spirit of change echoes through the decades, from the signing of the Lusaka Protocol in 1994 to end years of conflict in Angola to the monumental 1989 Velvet Revolution, where massive crowds filled the streets of Prague to demand democratic reform.
Beyond the battlefield and the protest line, the day marks significant leaps in technology and human rights. While 1959 saw the United Nations adopt the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, 1985 witnessed a digital revolution with the release of Microsoft Windows 1.0. Whether we are looking at the heavy weight of history—such as the start of the Nuremberg trials in 1945—or the technological triumphs like the 1998 launch of the Zarya module for the International Space Station, November 20 is a day that demands reflection on our shared global journey.
Holidays & Observances on November 20
- 20-N (Spain)
- Africa Industrialization Day (international)
- Black Awareness Day (Brazil)
- Children's Day (World Children's Day)
- Earliest day on which the Feast of Christ the King can fall, while November 26 is the latest; celebrated on the last Sunday before Advent. (Roman Catholic Church)
- National Sovereignty Day (Argentina)
- Day of the Mexican Revolution (Mexico)
- Royal Thai Navy Day (Thailand)
Fun & National Days on November 20
- National Peanut Butter Fudge Day — Treat yourself to a delicious, creamy piece of fudge to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- National Absurdity Day — Embrace the weirdness of life and do something completely nonsensical today.
- Name Your PC Day — Give your computer a personality by assigning it a fun and unique name.
- Beautiful Day
- Future Teachers of America Day
- Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day
- International STAND UP to Bullying Day
- Transgender Day of Remembrance
On This Day in History
- 1789 — New Jersey achieved a historic milestone by becoming the very first state in the United States to ratify the Bill of Rights.
- 1805 — The musical world saw the premiere of Fidelio in Vienna, marking the only opera ever composed by the legendary Beethoven.
- 1820 — A massive sperm whale attacked and sank the whaling ship Essex, an event that later inspired Herman Melville's Moby-Dick.
- 1910 — The Mexican Revolution began to unfold after Francisco I. Madero issued his plan to overthrow the government of Porfirio Díaz.
- 1945 — Legal accountability for war crimes commenced at the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg during the first trials of Nazi officials.
- 1947 — In a landmark royal wedding, the future Queen Elizabeth II wed Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at London's Westminster Abbey.
- 1962 — Tensions during the Cuban Missile Crisis eased as President John F. Kennedy lifted the naval quarantine of Cuba.
- 1977 — Seeking lasting peace, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel and address the Knesset.
- 1985 — Computing history was made with the official release of Microsoft Windows 1.0, the company's first graphical operating environment.
- 1989 — The Velvet Revolution gained massive momentum in Prague as nearly half a million protesters gathered to demand change.
- 1998 — Space exploration reached a new era with the launch of Zarya, the first module component for the International Space Station.
Famous Birthdays on November 20
- 1602 — Otto von Guericke, The renowned German politician and physicist known for his scientific contributions.
- 1750 — Tipu Sultan, A powerful and influential ruler from the Indian subcontinent.
- 1858 — Selma Lagerlöf, The distinguished Swedish author and educator who was honored with the Nobel Prize.
- 1936 — Don DeLillo, An acclaimed American writer known for his profound novels and essays.
- 1961 — Pierre Hermé, A world-famous French pastry chef celebrated for his exquisite culinary creations.
- 1971 — Joel McHale, The popular American actor, comedian, and producer seen on various television shows.