Siege of Constantinople
An imperial transport flottila frustrates Turkish attempts to mine the Harbour
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On this date in world history
April 20 in History
This permanent archive page contains 156 World History Database records for April 20, spanning 689 to 2024. Recorded topics include Death of Caedwalla; Death of Clement V; Siege of Constantinople.
Total: 156Events: 144Births: 3Deaths: 5Battles: 4Countries: 27
Events on April 20
Burial
Buried at St George's Chapel Windsor
Mobilization
Departs from York with a force of 600 to meet Earl Rivers at Northampton
Execution
Elizabeth Barton is hanged at Tyburn for heresy
Execution
Edward Bocking is hanged at Tyburn for heresy
Execution
Elizabeth Barton, the Nun of Kent, is executed for treason.
Condemnation
Is condemned after the Oxford disputations.
Civil War
The Covenanters & Parliament join forces at Tadcaster
Covenanters
The Covenanters & Parliament join forces at Tadcaster
Covenanters
The Covenanters & Parliament join forces at Tadcaster
Mobilization
The Covenanters & Parliament join forces at Tadcaster
Constitution of England
The Council of State is dissolved, the army is left in power
Council of State
The Council of State is dissolved, the army is left in power
Interregnum
Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament after denouncing its continued rule.
Parliament
Enters the Commons & forcefully expels the Rump Parliament
Peerage
Ashley-Cooper is created Baron Ashley in the Restoration peerage.
Duke of Buccleuch
Created Duke of Buccleuch and Earl of Dalkeith in the Scottish peerage.
Marriage
Marries James Scott and brings the Buccleuch inheritance into the new ducal settlement.
Marriage
Marries Anne Scott, wealthy heiress and Countess of Buccleuch.
Assault on Fort San Lazaro
Wentworth’s troops failed in a costly assault against Fort San Lazaro outside Cartagena.
Fort San Lazaro
De Lezo reinforced the Spanish defence that defeated the British assault on Fort San Lazaro.
Reform of State Symbols
Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States
Declaration of War
The Legislative Assembly declares war on the "King of Bohemia & Hungary"
Declaration of War
The Legislative Assembly declares war on the "King of Bohemia and Hungary".
Invasion of Flanders
Fighting begins along the Flanders frontier, Lafayette commands the French forces
Invasion of Flanders
Fighting begins along the Flanders frontier, Lafayette commands the French forces.
War Proposal to Legislative Assembly
Louis XVI formally proposed war against the King of Bohemia and Hungary, and the Legislative Assembly approved the declaration.
War with Austria
Jacobins and Girondins debate the war after France declares war on Austria
War with Austria
Jacobins and Girondins debate the war after France declares war on Austria.
Alliance Austria and Prussia
Austria enters into a defensive alliance with Prussia against Russia.
Mobilization
Austria masses an army of 50,000 in Galicia and Transylvania.
Royal Albert Bridge
The Royal Albert Bridge passes its official Board of Trade inspection and load tests.
Fast FA Cup Final Goal
Chatt scores the winning goal during the opening minute of the 1895 final.
Second FA Cup Victory
Devey captains Villa to a 1-0 FA Cup final victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Declaration of War
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Independence of Cuba
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Independence of United States of America
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Joint Resolution for War
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Senate Lifeboat Testimony
Gives Senate evidence about Titanic's lifeboats, evacuation procedures and his experience after leaving the ship.
Senate Titanic Wireless Testimony
Describes Titanic's wireless distress work and the final communications sent before the ship sank.
Titanic Witness Subpoenas Announced
Announces subpoenas for surviving Titanic officers, wireless operators and crew members needed for further testimony.
United States Senate Testimony
Gives evidence to the United States Senate inquiry about Titanic's officers, lifeboats and the evacuation.
Invasion Fleet Assembled at Mudros
Hamilton oversees final preparations as more than two hundred vessels assemble at Mudros for the invasion.
Merchant Ship Submarine Attacks Reported
Churchill supplies information concerning attacks by submarines on British and neutral merchant ships.
Naval Engineer Recognition Policy Reviewed
Churchill answers questions concerning honours and promotion for Royal Navy engineer officers.
April Crisis Demonstrations
Kerensky faces mass demonstrations in Petrograd after publication of Milyukov's war aims statement.
April Crisis Demonstrations
Public demonstrations erupt after Miliukov's war-policy note becomes known, deepening the first major crisis of the Provisional Government.
April Days
Helps calm demonstrations against the government.
April Days
Faces public anger over the war policy of the Provisional Government
April Days
Presses Bolshevik opposition to the Provisional Government during the crisis
April Days
Opposition to the Foreign Minister Milyukov boils over due to his refusal to renounce annexations
April Days
Opposition to the Foreign Minister Milyukov boils over due to his refusal to renounce annexations
April Days
His note promising to honour Allied war commitments sparks street demonstrations
Economy of Russia
A Decree outlaws the purchase & leasing of industrial & commercial business. A Decree compels all securities & bonds to be registered with the Government
End of Second Zahle Council Presidency
The Second Zahle Council Presidency ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Council President of Denmark.
Reparations White Book
His government publishes documents explaining German reparations policy from May 1921 through March 1922.
Budget
Sets up an Exchange Equalization Fund to prevent sudden fluctuations in sterling
Economy of USA
Roosevelt prohibits gold exports and redemption, formally suspending the United States gold standard.
Gestapo
Goering forms a partnership with Himmler and Heydrich, placing the Gestapo under their control, in order to crush the SA
Reform of Policing
Himmler has control over the SS, Gestapo (political police) & SD (secret police). Goering hands over the Gestapo to Himmler
Reform of Secret Police
Goering hands over the Gestapo to Himmler
Sicherheitsdienst
Goering forms a partnership with Himmler and Heydrich, placing the Gestapo under their control, in order to crush the SA
Keep the Aspidistra Flying
Publishes Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
Olympia
Releases Olympia, her two-part documentary on the 1936 Olympic Games.
Namsos Campaign
French troops deploy around Namsos as part of the Allied attempt to retake Trondheim.
University of California Los Alamos Contract
A contract is concluded with the University of California to manage Los Alamos administration, procurement and payroll.
Fuhrerbunker
On his birthday Hitler makes his last trip to the surface to award Iron Crosses to some boy soldiers of the Hitler Youth
Wehrmacht
The German defences are mainly led by Helmuth Weidling and consisted of several depleted, badly equipped, and disorganised Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS divisions, as well as many Volkssturm and Hitler Youth members
Capture of River Yangtze
Communist forces cross the Yangtze River after peace negotiations fail, opening the final drive into Nationalist-held southern China.
Capture of River Yangtze
The Communists cross the River Yangtze
Government
Asks Congress for $3,530 million for foreign aid
Invasion of Cuba
The invasion force of Cuban exiles has been killed or captured by Castro
African Agricultural Cooperation
Taiwan begins agricultural and economic cooperation programs with eleven African countries as part of the government’s diplomatic strategy.
I Am Prepared to Die Speech
Defends democracy and explains the turn toward sabotage.
Statement from the Dock
Delivers his famous statement from the dock.
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Trial
Opening day of Mandellas defence
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Trial
Tried alongside Nelson Mendella
Bombing of Vietnam
McNamara & Westmorland agree to use B52s for conventional bombing in South Vietnam
Bombing of Vietnam
McNamara & Westmorland agree to use B52s for conventional bombing in South Vietnam
Harrisongs Ltd
Brian Epstein is appointed Director of Harrisongs Ltd
Mobilization
McNamara, Westmoreland, Wheeler, William Bundy & Ambassador Taylor recommend to the President sending another 40,000 combat soldiers
Mobilization
McNamara, Westmoreland, Wheeler, William Bundy & Ambassador Taylor recommend to the President sending another 40,000 combat soldiers
Mobilization
McNamara, Westmoreland, Wheeler, William Bundy & Ambassador Taylor recommend to the President sending another 40,000 combat soldiers
Beatles, The
The Beatles start recording George Harrisons, "Taxman"
Prime Minister of Canada
Becomes prime minister after winning the Liberal leadership.
Troop Withdrawal Announcement
Announces further US troop withdrawals from Vietnam
Premiership Ends
Leaves the prime ministership as Sirik Matak takes over government leadership
Apollo 16 Lunar Landing
Commands Orion to a landing in the Descartes Highlands after Mission Control clears the delayed descent.
Apollo 16 SPS Oscillation Check
Helps evaluate service propulsion system yaw oscillations before Mission Control clears Orion to land.
Descartes Landing
Pilots Orion to the Descartes Highlands after a delay caused by command-module propulsion concerns.
Aladdin Sane
Releases Aladdin Sane, the first album written and issued after the breakthrough of Ziggy Stardust.
White House Tape 903-001
H. R. Haldeman appears with Richard Nixon in the 16-minute White House recording numbered 903-001; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
White House Tape 903-001
Richard Nixon appears with H. R. Haldeman in the 16-minute White House recording numbered 903-001; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
White House Tape 903-006
H. R. Haldeman appears with Richard Nixon in the 22-minute White House recording numbered 903-006; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
White House Tape 903-006
Richard Nixon appears with H. R. Haldeman in the 22-minute White House recording numbered 903-006; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
White House Tape 903-019
John Ehrlichman appears with Richard Nixon and H. R. Haldeman in the 17-minute White House recording numbered 903-019; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
White House Tape 903-019
H. R. Haldeman appears with Richard Nixon and John Ehrlichman in the 17-minute White House recording numbered 903-019; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
White House Tape 903-019
Richard Nixon appears with H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman in the 17-minute White House recording numbered 903-019; the Watergate Special Prosecution Force later included the recording in its transcript collection.
Abolition of Currency
Khmer Rouge abolish money, markets, and private property
Black and Blue
Rolling Stones release the album, "Black and Blue"
Black and Blue
Rolling Stones release the album, "Black and Blue"
Rolling Stones, The
Rolling Stones release the album, "Black and Blue"
Rolling Stones, The
Rolling Stones release the album, "Black and Blue"
Nuclear Power
Desai says India will consider the Non-Proliferation Treaty only if established nuclear powers accept meaningful disarmament.
Strike
Clashes worsen as Sands hunger strike reaches its 52st day
Acceptance of Washington Talks Invitation
Agrees to travel to Washington for two days of talks after Haig asks for direct discussions to identify Britain's negotiating bottom line and avoid diplomatic stalemate.
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands
War Cabinet Order
Orders the repossession of the Falkland Islands.
Never Let Me Down
Releases Never Let Me Down, followed by the large-scale Glass Spider tour.
End of Fifth Strougal Government
The Fifth Strougal Government ends in Prague, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.
Tour de France
Brother-in-law accidentally discharges his shotgun, striking LeMond in the back just over two months before the 1987 Tour de France, LeMond misses the following two Tours while recovering
Government of Reconstruction and Building
Chairs the first post-liberation cabinet.
Postwar Cabinet Formed
The new cabinet concentrates on reconstruction and restoration of services.
Postwar Cabinet Leadership
Leads reconstruction planning after widespread occupation damage.
Reconstruction Government
Forms the first government after liberation.
Popular Participation Law
The Popular Participation Law decentralises resources and recognises municipal and community participation.
Rule of Gaza
Israeli and PLO negotiators wrapped up an agreement transferring civilian Government powers to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Jericho
Rule of Jericho
Israeli and PLO negotiators wrapped up an agreement transferring civilian Government powers to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Jericho
Cup Winners' Cup Semi-Final Shootout Saves
Makes decisive saves as Arsenal defeat Sampdoria on penalties to reach a second consecutive Cup Winners' Cup final.
Pantheon Reburial
Is reburied in the Pantheon with Pierre Curie.
Moseley Shoals Number Two
Moseley Shoals enters the UK albums chart and peaks at number two.
St Petersburg Nuclear Safety Summit
Hosts G7 leaders for a summit focused on nuclear safety and holds bilateral talks with Bill Clinton.
Constitution of Turkey
Says he would like the Parliamentary system to be replaced by a presidential system
Neutrality
Gul says Turkey has agreed with the US to provide a postwar peacekeeping force
Gravity Probe B
Leads the mission launched to test geodetic precession and frame dragging predicted by general relativity.
President of Ecuador
Appointed President of Ecuador after the removal of Lucio Gutierrez
Comet 73P Breakup
Weaver helps lead Hubble observations showing the detailed fragmentation of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 as it approaches the Sun.
Presidential Election
Wins the election and breaks Colorado Party control of the presidency.
Barcelona Semi-Final Goal
Scores Inter's equaliser in a 3-1 first-leg victory over defending champions Barcelona.
Copa del Rey Final Victory
Real Madrid defeat Barcelona after extra time to win the Copa del Rey.
MESSENGER Orbit
Mission controllers reduce MESSENGER's orbital period to about eight hours, increasing the number of close Mercury passes each day.
President of Laos
Becomes president of Laos
Prime Minister
Becomes prime minister of Laos
Remain Campaign Fundraising
Attends a Britain Stronger in Europe fundraising event alongside business and political figures supporting continued European Union membership.
Interstellar Comet Borisov Composition
Jewitt uses Hubble observations to help show that interstellar Comet Borisov contains unusually abundant carbon monoxide.
Azovstal Defense
Commands defenders inside the Azovstal steelworks.
Ukraine Aid Vote
House passes long-delayed military aid for Ukraine.
Voyager 1 Engineering Data Restored
A software-memory workaround restores usable Voyager 1 engineering data after five months of troubleshooting.
Births on April 20
Birth of Adolf Hitler
Birth of Adolf Hitler, Brannau, Austria, son of Alois Hitler & Klara Polz
Birth of Jomo Kenyatta
Birth of Jomo Kenyatta
Birth of Alan James Beith
Birth of Alan James Beith
Deaths on April 20
Death of Caedwalla
Death of Caedwalla
Death of Clement V
Death of Clement V
Death of Edward Bocking
Death of Edward Brocking, executed
Death of Elizabeth Barton
Death of Elizabeth Barton, executed
Death of Robert Stewart
Mary's younger son Robert Duke of Albany dies in infancy
Battles on April 20
Battle of Berlin
On his birthday Hitler makes his last trip to the surface to award Iron Crosses to some boy soldiers of the Hitler Youth
Battle of Berlin
Marshal Ivan Konevs 1st Ukrainian Front had pushed in the north through the last formations of Army Group Centre
Battle of Berlin
The German defences are mainly led by Helmuth Weidling and consisted of several depleted, badly equipped, and disorganised Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS divisions, as well as many Volkssturm and Hitler Youth members
Battle of Berlin
The 1st Belorussian Front led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov starts shelling Berlins city centre