2024January

January 20: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

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Facts & Historic Events That Happened on January 20

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January 20th is also known as Cheese Lovers Day as well as Penguin Awareness Day.

Welcome to the twentieth day of the year! We’re gradually getting through the year, but we still have another 346 days remaining in 2024.

Find out the history about January 20 by checking out these interesting facts and historical events, including many advances in equal rights.

Did you know that on this day in 1982, Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat during a performance? At the time, he believed it was a toy.

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

Events

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

2023

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the Moon, married Anca Faur on his 93rd birthday.

2017

Jacob Sartorius released his debut album, “The Last Text EP.”

2009

The USA’s first African-American President, Barack Obama, conducted his first address.

OTD in 2009: The USA's first African-American President

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America.”

2008

The first episode of Breaking Bad premiered on AMC.

1996

NASA mission STS-72 landed at the Kennedy Space Center after eight days in space.

Mission STS-72, which was flown by the Endeavour Space Shuttle, was filmed by a PBS camera crew, with the footage going into a documentary called Astronauts. In addition, the game of Go was played for the first time in space between US astronaut Daniel T. Barry and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata.

1992

Air Inter Flight 148 crashed in the Vosges Mountains in France while circling to land at Strasbourg Airport.

OTD in 1992: Air Inter Flight 148 crashed in the Vosges Mountains in France while circling to land at Strasbourg Airport.

The crash site was found more than four hours later by journalists. By the time the emergency response teams arrived, 87 people had died, with just nine survivors. Later, it was discovered that the crash was caused by a pilot’s error rather than a mechanical failure.

1982

Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat that a fan threw onto the stage during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa.

1981

US hostages were released in Iran after 444 days.

OTD in 1981: US hostages were released in Iran after 444 days.

52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage at the American embassy in Tehran due to a diplomatic standoff between the two countries.

1980

In a letter and on television, President Jimmy Carter announced that the Olympics should not take place in Moscow, Russia.

The suggestion was to encourage the Soviet Union to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

1971

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” single was released.

The song was inspired by police brutality witnessed in the 1970s.

1965

The classic song “Mr. Tambourine Man” was recorded by The Byrds.

1945

Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first and last US President to serve four terms.

Roosevelt was inaugurated with very little fanfare in what was described as a “homey little ceremony on the back porch of the White House.” The 22nd Amendment was brought in after Roosevelt’s presidency to prevent US Presidents from serving more than two terms.

1929

“In Old Arizona” became the first full-length talking motion picture filmed outdoors.

The movie was directed by Irving Cummings and Raoul Walsh and went on to win five Academy Awards.

1869

Feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the first woman to testify before Congress.

OTD in 1869: Feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the first woman to testify before Congress.

1809

The US published its first book on Geology – “Observations on the Geology of the United States” by William Maclure.

Famous Births

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

1987

Evan Peters

American

Actor

Evan Peters

Age:

37 years old

Born In:

Missouri, USA

1971

Gary Barlow

English

Singer

Gary Barlow

Age:

53 years old

Born In:

England, UK

1930

Buzz Aldrin

American

Astronaut

Buzz Aldrin

Age:

94 years old

Born In:

New Jersey, USA

1946

David Lynch

American

Filmmaker

David Lynch

Age:

78 years old

Born In:

Montana, USA

Famous Deaths

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

1929

1993

Audrey Hepburn

British

Actress

Audrey Hepburn

1929

1993

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress born on May 4, 1929. She died on this day in 1993, at age 63 in Tolochenaz, Vaud, Switzerland.

Died On:

Jan 20, 1993 (Age 63)

Died In:

Vaud, Switzerland

1947

2022

Meat Loaf

American

Singer

Meat Loaf

1947

2022

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf was an American singer born on September 27, 1947. He died on this day in 2022, at age 74 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Died On:

Jan 20, 2022 (Age 74)

Died In:

Tennessee, USA

Quotes

Of all of the quotes said on this day, these are the most notable ones said on Jan 20th throughout history.

2017

From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first.

2000

The best evaluation I can make of a player is to look in his eyes and see how scared they are.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

American Basketball Player

1961

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy

American President

Special Holidays

Looking for a reason to celebrate? Well, here’s a few! These unique holidays are sure to bring some enjoyment to your day.

January 20: Penguin Awareness Day
United States

Penguin Awareness Day

As the seas warm and the ice caps melt, life for penguins becomes increasingly difficult. That’s why we celebrate Penguin Awareness Day, so that people around the world can stop and think about ways to help protect these cute-looking creatures!

January 20: National Cheese Lovers Day
United States

National Cheese Lovers Day

Today is the perfect day to eat as much cheese as you like without guilt. Cheese omelet for breakfast? Cheesy toasties for lunch? Baked halloumi for dinner? No problem! We hope you have a “gouda” time on this special day… and yeah, we know that was a bit “cheesy.”

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

Berries are simple fruits stemming from one flower. This means that pineapples, bananas, watermelon, pumpkins, and avocados are berries.

Birthday & Zodiac

Those of you who were born on this day share the Aquarius star sign.

Aquarius is represented by the water-bearer and is the eleventh sign in the zodiac. Anyone who was born between January 20 and February 18 falls into this astrological sign.

All those born in January have the Garnet birthstone. The garnet is a vibrant and meaningful gemstone, its name comes from a sacred fruit, the pomegranate.

People born on this day were likely conceived on or around April 29th in the previous year.

A baby that is conceived on this day will likely be born around October 13th, 2024.

Fact Check

We have a thorough fact-checking process and a dedicated team verifying our content for accuracy. However, occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below.

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