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December 20: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

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Facts & Historic Events That Happened on December 20

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December 20th is known as Games Day and Sangria Day.

Welcome to the 355th day of the year! We’re rapidly approaching the end of the year with only 11 days reamining in 2024.

This day was certainly an interesting day in years gone by and you’re about to discover the good, the bad and the ugly events that all happened on this day.

Did you know that on this day in 1996, the classic horror film “Scream” was released? It was credited with revitalizing the horror genre, which, at that point, was considered almost dead.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about December 20th in history!

Events

What memorable events happened on December 20 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2017

Lady Gaga signed a Las Vegas residency deal for $75 million at MGM Park Theatre.

OTD in 2017: Lady Gaga signed a Las Vegas residency deal for $75 million at MGM Park Theatre.

2009

US President Barack Obama received a vaccine jab against the swine flu.

2007

Pablo Picasso’s “Portrait of Suzanne Bloch” was stolen from the São Paulo Museum of Art, along with O Lavrador de Café by Candido Portinari.

OTD in 2007: Pablo Picasso's "Portrait of Suzanne Bloch" was stolen from the São Paulo Museum of Art

2002

Gangs of New York, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz, was released.

1996

The horror film classic “Scream,” starring Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, was released.

1991

A Palestinian couple was convicted of first-degree murder for the honor killing on their daughter.

In St. Louis, Missouri, Zein Isa and his wife Maria performed an honor killing on their daughter, with Maria holding her while Zein stabbed her. The FBI had already been monitoring Zein due to terrorist suspicion, and her death was recorded on audiotape from a bug.

1985

Pope John Paul II established World Youth Day, an event for young Christians around the world.

1977

The first spacewalk was made by the Soviet cosmonaut Georgy Grechko during Salyut 6 EO-1 mission.

OTD in 1977: The first spacewalk was made by the Soviet cosmonaut Georgy Grechko during Salyut 6 EO-1 mission.

During the 96-day mission, Grechko used an Orlan spacesuit (still used today) to inspect if there was damage on the forward docking port.

1968

The Zodiac Killer claimed two more victims.

Although Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday were the first confirmed Zodiac victims, it’s impossible to say if they were his first kills. Betty and David were high school students on their first date in Vallejo, California, when the Zodiac Killer murdered them.

1955

Cardiff was proclaimed the capital of Wales by the UK’s Minister for Welsh Affairs.

1946

The Christmas classic directed by Frank Capra, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” premiered in New York.

1924

Adolf Hitler was freed from jail early.

OTD in 1924: Adolf Hitler was freed from jail early.

After an unsuccessful attempt to seize Munich, Adolf Hitler was arrested and charged with high treason. He was sentenced to five years; however, he only served nine months after being released early for good behavior.

1915

The last Australian troops were evacuated from Gallipoli during World War I.

1860

South Carolina seceded from the United States of America.

Voters in South Carolina were almost all on the wrong side of history when they rejected the election of Abraham Lincoln and left the US in a fuss. They became one of the founding members of the Confederate States of America before ultimately being readmitted to the US less than eight years later.

Famous Births

If today’s your birthday, you share this special day with Jonah Hill! Here are other famous people born on this day.

1990

JoJo

American

Singer

JoJo

Age:

33 years old

Born In:

Vermont, USA

1984

Bob Morley

Australian

Actor

Bob Morley

Age:

39 years old

Born In:

Victoria, Australia

1983

Jonah Hill

American

Actor

Jonah Hill

Age:

40 years old

Born In:

California, USA

1966

Paul Ritter

English

Actor

Paul Ritter

Died On:

Apr 5, 2021 (Age 54)

Born In:

England, UK

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, December 20th has also been a day where we’ve had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1977

2009

Brittany Murphy

American

Actress

Brittany Murphy

1977

2009

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy was an American actress born on November 10, 1977. She died on this day in 2009, at age 32 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Died On:

Dec 20, 2009 (Age 32)

Died In:

California, USA

1902

1968

John Steinbeck

American

Author

John Steinbeck

1902

1968

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck was an American author born on February 27, 1902. He died on this day in 1968, at age 66 in New York City, New York, USA.

Died On:

Dec 20, 1968 (Age 66)

Died In:

New York, USA

Quotes

Here we have the most notable quotes that have been said on this day throughout history.

1939

No writing has any real value which is not the expression of genuine thought and feeling.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

American First Lady

1840

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved.

Margaret Fuller

American Journalist

Special Holidays

If you can spare some time today, here are some unique holidays you could get involved with.

December 20: National Sangria Day
United States

National Sangria Day

While any day can be a day to drink sangria, not every day is Sangria Day! So if you want to celebrate Sangria Day but don’t know how to make it, don’t fret. Cut up some fresh fruit and mix it with your favorite wine, and hey presto – you have sangria!

December 20: Games Day
United States

Games Day

Can you remember the last time you sat with friends and played a game? So get out your Uno cards, chessboard, PlayStation, or Scrabble board, whichever is your favorite, and make some great memories with your friends today.

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

Lemurs got their name because of their big eyes, which made them look like ghosts at night to explorers. Lemur in Latin means “ghost.”

Birthday & Zodiac

People who were born on December 20th all share the Sagittarius zodiac sign.

Sagittarians should focus their attention on making longer-term plans with friends or loved ones. See how you feel after you accomplish this feat – others will certainly notice it.

The Blue Topaz birthstone is given to people born in December. The icy-blue topaz provides special healing powers to those who wear it by recharging the body, mind, and spirit.

For people born on Dec 20, your estimated date of conception falls on March 29 in the same year.

Babies conceived on this day will be due around September 12, 2025.

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