Disputed Kingship
Claims the German crown against Frederick III.
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On this date in world history
October 20 in History
This permanent archive page contains 174 World History Database records for October 20, spanning 1314 to 2025. Recorded topics include Disputed Kingship; Rival Election of Louis IV; Royal Election.
Total: 174Events: 138Births: 3Deaths: 10Battles: 22Coronations: 1Countries: 30
Events on October 20
Rival Election of Louis IV
Louis of Bavaria was elected by a rival group of electors, creating competing claims to the German kingship.
Royal Election
Receives rival support from electors against Frederick III.
Arrest of Isabella
Edward III arrests his mother & keeps her at Castle Rising for the rest of her life
Arrest of Isabella
Keeps his mother, Isabella, imprisoned in Norfolk for the rest of her life
Arrest of Isabella
Edward III arrests his mother & keeps her at Castle Rising for the rest of her life
Parliament
Takes the Government into his own hands & sends out writs summoning a new Parliament
Succession
Succeeds as King of England. Assumes personal rule & keeps his mother, Isabella, imprisoned in Norfolk
Capture of Breda
Serves with Prince Frederick Henry of Orange, in George Moncks company
Swedish Alliance
Aligns with Sweden through the Union of Kedainiai
Swedish-Lithuanian Union
Accepts Lithuania's submission under the Union of Kedainiai
Union of Kedainiai
Lithuanian magnates break with Poland and accept Swedish protection
Union of Kedainiai
Lithuanian magnates accept Swedish protection and break the Union of Lublin
Secretary of State
Bennet is appointed Secretary of State during Charles II's Restoration government.
Southern Department
Bennet becomes Secretary of State and rises within the Restoration administration.
Surrender of Mons
Mons capitulates after the Allied siege following Malplaquet.
Holy Roman Empire
Maria Theresa inherits the Habsburg Empire
Succession
Maria Theresas succession is disputed by Charles Albert, Philip V & Augustus III. Maria Maria Theresa inherits the Habsburg Empire
Succession
Maria Theresa inherits the Habsburg Empire
Succession
Maria Theresas succession is disputed by Charles Albert, Philip V & Augustus III
Succession
Maria Theresas succession is disputed by Charles Albert, Philip V & Augustus III. Maria Theresa inherits the Habsburg Empire
Succession
Maria Theresas succession is disputed by Charles Albert, Philip V & Augustus III
Succession
Maria Theresas succession is disputed by Charles Albert, Philip V & Augustus III. Maria Theresa inherits the Habsburg Empire
Capture of Madras
Captures Madras on behalf of the French
Capture of Lyon
Captures Lyon from the Royalists
Commander of Army of Interior
Appointed Commander of the Army of the Interior
Commander of Army of Interior
Appointed Commander of the Army of the Interior, for saving the Tuileries Palace
Cape Trafalgar
Attempts to regain Cadiz before Nelson forces battle.
Congress of Troppau
Attends the Congress of Troppau as the eastern monarchies debate intervention against revolutionary governments.
Invasion of Peloponnese
The Governments of all three powers were under intense pressure from their public opinion to help the Greeks, especially after the invasion of the Peloponnese in 1825 by Ottoman vassal Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt and the atrocities committed by his forces
Independence of Greece
Turkish defeat at Navarino leads to Greek independence
Independence of Turkey
Turkish defeat at Navarino leads to Greek independence
Navarino Consequence
Loses much of the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at Navarino after rejecting the Allied diplomatic settlement.
Navarino Policy
Receives news of the Allied naval victory at Navarino while his government continues the policy created by Canning.
Treaty Enforcement
Commands the British contingent of the Allied fleet enforcing pressure for an armistice after Ottoman rejection of mediation.
Treaty Enforcement
Commands the Russian squadron operating with the British and French fleets at Navarino.
Treaty Enforcement
Commands the French naval contingent cooperating with Britain and Russia in support of the London settlement.
Albert Goblet d'Alviella Government
Begins the Albert Goblet d'Alviella Government in Brussels and serves as head of the Belgian government.
Peerage
Created Baron Raglan
Treaty of Ancon
Concludes peace with Peru through the Treaty of Ancon.
First Ministers Conference
Hosts provincial leaders to discuss provincial autonomy.
First Sea Lord Appointment
Fisher becomes First Sea Lord and professional head of the Royal Navy.
Treaty of Peace and Friendship
Montes signs the treaty formally settling the War of the Pacific with Chile.
Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Bolivia
Signs the treaty formally ending the state of war with Bolivia.
Military Revolutionary Committee
Works with Bolshevik revolutionary structures linked to the Soviet.
Military Revolutionary Committee
Attends the first meeting of the committee.
Petrograd Soviet
Supports Bolshevik work inside the Petrograd Soviet before the uprising.
Petrograd Soviet Activity
Stalin participates in Bolshevik organisation connected with the Petrograd Soviet.
Resignation of Lev Borisovich Kamenev
Kamenev & Zinoviev resign from the Central Committee. An injunction is issued against Kamenev reventing further pronouncements
Revolutionary Military Committee
Takes part in the first meeting of the Petrograd Soviet's Military Revolutionary Committee.
Upper Silesia
Accepts a partition settlement in Upper Silesia.
Upper Silesia
Germany loses part of Upper Silesia after League arbitration.
Reballion of Rebels in Bavaria
General Otto von Lossow in Bavaria is relieved of command by Berlin; he refuses
Reballion of Rebels in Saxony
General Alfred Mueller marches on Saxony to prevent a communist takeover
Reballion of Rebels in Saxony
General Alfred Mueller marches on Saxony to prevent a communist takeover
Saxony Military Intervention
General Alfred Mueller marches on Saxony to prevent a communist takeover.
Independence of Great Britain
Recommends an end to Jewish immigration into Palestine in the Passfield White Paper
Independence of Palestine
Recommends an end to Jewish immigration into Palestine in the Passfield White Paper
Passfield White Paper
Recommends an end to Jewish immigration into Palestine in the Passfield White Paper
President of Ecuador
Appointed acting President of Ecuador
Communist Party
Czechoslovakia, complying with Nazi policy, outlaws the Communist Party and begins persecuting Jews
German Occupation
Czechoslovakia, complying with Nazi policy, outlaws the Communist Party and begins persecuting Jews
Operation Overlord
The HQ for the 1st US Army opens in England
Operation Rankin
Operation Rankin could win the war ahead of Operation Overlord
Operation Rankin
Operation Rankin could win the war ahead of Operation Overlord
Siege of Kiev
Vatutins attacks from the Burkin bridgehead are repulsed
Trial
Allied agreement to set up United Nations Commission on War Crimes
United Nations
Allied agreement to set up United Nations Commission on War Crimes
Viceroy
Appointed Viceroy of India, officially installed
Leyte Landings
Krueger commands the Sixth Army as American ground forces land on Leyte and begin the campaign to retake the central Philippines.
Return to Leyte
MacArthur lands on Leyte after the initial assault and publicly marks the return of Allied forces to the Philippines.
Southern Force Recommendation
Kusaka recommends detaching part of Kurita's force to approach Leyte Gulf through Surigao Strait.
Deposition by Lao Issara
Deposed by Lao Issara nationalists after refusing to endorse their full program
RuSHA Trial Opens
The RuSHA Case opened against officials involved in Nazi racial and resettlement policies.
Capture of Pyongyang
Pyongyang is captured by the ROK & US 187th Regimental Combat Team. Captures Pyongyang for the UN
Arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and other leaders
On the same day as the Emergency is declared, troops and police arrest nearly 100 leaders, including Jomo Kenyatta, in an operation named Jock Scott
Independence of Kenya
On the same day as the Emergency is declared, troops and police arrest nearly 100 leaders, including Jomo Kenyatta, in an operation named Jock Scott
State of Emergency
On the same day as the Emergency is declared, troops and police arrest nearly 100 leaders, including Jomo Kenyatta, in an operation named Jock Scott
Chancellor
Appointed Chancellor
Government Ends
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Prime Minister
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Bundy helped organize the decision process that produced Kennedy's choice of a naval quarantine.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy returned to Washington and presided over a National Security Council meeting on the response.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy selected a naval quarantine as the initial response while retaining stronger military options.
Cuban Missile Crisis
The White House announced that Kennedy had a cold as he cancelled remaining campaign appearances.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Robert Kennedy supported the quarantine option as a measured response that preserved room for further diplomatic pressure.
Cuban Missile Crisis
McNamara briefed Kennedy on naval interception procedures and the military preparations supporting the proposed quarantine.
Cuban Missile Crisis
McNamara organized the naval interception plan and continued preparations for air strikes and invasion.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Rusk supported the quarantine decision while the State Department prepared allied consultations and diplomatic notifications.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Sorensen helped draft language explaining the quarantine and the administration's demand for removal of Soviet offensive weapons.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Taylor supervised continued planning for air strikes and invasion after Kennedy selected the quarantine as the first step.
Declaration of War
20th October-21st November, a border war between India & China
Defence of Sirijap
Major Dhan Singh Thapa commands an isolated Ladakh post that resists repeated Chinese attacks before being overrun.
Invasion of India
Chinese forces launch major attacks on Indian positions on 20 October 1962, opening the principal phase of the border war.
To Be a Young Communist Speech
Guevara addresses young communists on political commitment, study, work and personal conduct.
Diplomatic Negotiations
Talks begin between Russia & China at Beijing to resolve border disputes
Ceasefire Negotiations
Participates in Soviet consultations with Henry Kissinger on a ceasefire.
Command Dispute
Disagrees with Sadat and Ismail Ali over the response to the Israeli crossing west of the canal.
Cox Dismissal
As acting attorney general, carries out Nixon's order and dismisses Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox after two senior Justice Department officials refuse.
Jaworski Appointment
Appoints Leon Jaworski to lead the Watergate Special Prosecution Force after the dismissal of Archibald Cox.
Moscow Talks
Flies to Moscow for ceasefire talks with Soviet leaders.
Saturday Night Massacre
Nixon contacted the Solicitor General, Robert Bork, and ordered him, as acting head of the Justice Department in the wake of the previous resignations, to fire Cox. Bork reluctantly complied.
Saturday Night Massacre
The firing of Special Prosecutor Cox, and the flurry of high-profile Justice Department resignations over the weekend caused the press to dub this event, the "Saturday Night Massacre."
Saturday Night Massacre
Is dismissed as Watergate special prosecutor by Acting Attorney General Robert Bork after refusing Nixon's proposed compromise over the White House tapes.
Saturday Night Massacre
Nixon contacted the Solicitor General, Robert Bork, and ordered him, as acting head of the Justice Department in the wake of the previous resignations, to fire Cox. Bork reluctantly complied.
Saturday Night Massacre
The firing of Special Prosecutor Cox, and the flurry of high-profile Justice Department resignations over the weekend caused the press to dub this event, the "Saturday Night Massacre."
Saturday Night Massacre
After Richardson and Ruckelshaus refuse to dismiss Archibald Cox, directs Solicitor General Robert Bork to remove the special prosecutor.
Saturday Night Massacre
Congress was infuriated about the Saturday Night Massacre. Numerous resolutions to impeach him were introduced in the House. Nixon, feeling the pressure, agreed to release some of the tapes to District Judge Sirica.
Saturday Night Massacre
Nixon contacted the Solicitor General, Robert Bork, and ordered him, as acting head of the Justice Department in the wake of the previous resignations, to fire Cox. Bork reluctantly complied.
Saturday Night Massacre
The firing of Special Prosecutor Cox, and the flurry of high-profile Justice Department resignations over the weekend caused the press to dub this event, the "Saturday Night Massacre."
Saturday Night Massacre Refusal
Refuses to dismiss Archibald Cox after Richardson's resignation and leaves the Justice Department rather than execute Nixon's order.
Saturday Night Massacre Resignation
Resigns as attorney general rather than carry out Nixon's order to dismiss Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox.
Broadcast
Calls for a Government of national unity on television
The Song Remains the Same
Releases the concert film The Song Remains the Same.
Suicide
Suicide, after failure of the Schleyer kidnapping & Mogadisu rescue attempt. Death of Andreas Baader, suicide in gaol
Suicide
Death of Gudrun Esslin, commits suicide in Stammheim jail
End of Leo Tindemans Government
The Leo Tindemans Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.
Second Vanden Boeynants Government
Begins the Second Vanden Boeynants Government in Brussels and serves as Prime Minister of Belgium.
Smash It Up Chart Entry
Smash It Up enters the Official Singles Chart during the successful Machine Gun Etiquette period.
Government
The East Caribbean Heads of Government as the US to restore order in Grenada
Economy of China
Urban workers pay & bonuses will be linked to job performance
Black Monday Response
The Federal Reserve pledges liquidity after the largest one-day percentage stock-market fall.
Conference of CHOGM
Drafts Britains opposition to sanctions against South Africa
Harare Declaration
Mugabe hosts the Commonwealth summit that adopts the Harare Declaration.
Harare Declaration Adopted
Commonwealth leaders adopt the Harare Declaration during a summit hosted by Zimbabwe.
Leadership Ballot
Comes first in the second ballot of Conservative MPs during the leadership contest.
Party Leader
In the second ballot Cameron comes first with 90 votes; David Davis was second, with 57, and Liam Fox is eliminated with 51 votes
Party Leader
In the second ballot Cameron comes first with 90 votes; David Davis was second, with 57, and Liam Fox is eliminated with 51 votes
Allegiance Council Established
Creates the Allegiance Council to formalize future royal succession.
Allegiance Council Established
Later chairs the royal body established to manage succession decisions.
Speaker's Conference Evidence
Gives evidence to the Speaker's Conference as Conservative leader on parliamentary representation.
Spending Review
Announces the coalition spending review and programme of austerity.
Witney By-election
Wins the Witney by-election for the Conservatives after Cameron's resignation.
BepiColombo Launch
BepiColombo launches on an Ariane 5 to begin a multi-year journey toward Mercury.
Crimea Platform Initiative
Places the proposed Crimea Platform on the international agenda as a mechanism for deoccupation diplomacy.
Tier Three Funding Dispute
Burnham challenges the Government's financial offer during negotiations over stricter coronavirus restrictions.
Supplemental Security Request
Requests security funding for Ukraine and Israel.
Post-Sixteen Education and Skills White Paper
The Government publishes reforms covering technical education, higher education and workforce skills.
Births on October 20
Birth of Claude of Guise
Claude of Lorraine is born and later founds the ducal House of Guise
Birth of Henry John Temple
Birth of Henry John Temple
Marina Second Daughter Birth
Marina continued living with Paine through the birth of her second daughter on October 20 and remained there afterward.
Deaths on October 20
Death of Charles VI
Death of Charles VI
Death of Charles VI
Death of Charles VI, the last male Habsburg
Death of Herbert Clark Hoover
Death of Herbert Hoover
Death of Andraes Baader
Andreas Baader and Jan-Carl Raspe are found dead in their cells, having died from gunshot wounds, while Gudrun Ensslin is found hanging from a noose made from speaker wire
Death of Andraes Baader
Death of Andreas Baader, suicide in gaol
Death of Gudrun Ensslin
Andreas Baader and Jan-Carl Raspe are found dead in their cells, having died from gunshot wounds, while Gudrun Ensslin is found hanging from a noose made from speaker wire
Death of Gudrun Esslin
Death of Gudrun Esslin, commits suicide in Stammheim jail
Death of Jan-Carl Raspe
Andreas Baader and Jan-Carl Raspe are found dead in their cells, having died from gunshot wounds, while Gudrun Ensslin is found hanging from a noose made from speaker wire
Death of Muammar Gaddafi
Death of Muammar Gaddafi
Death of Muammar Gaddafi
Gaddafi is captured and killed as transitional forces take his final stronghold.
Battles on October 20
Battle of Jodoigne
Destroys the rear of Williams Army forcing him back to Germany
Battle of Navarino
Fights at the Battle of Navarino
Battle of Navarino
Leads the Allied fleet in the battle that destroys the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet and transforms the diplomatic balance over Greece.
Battle of Navarino
Leads the combined Allied fleet at Navarino after Ottoman-Egyptian forces refuse to comply with Allied demands.
Battle of Navarino
The naval Battle happens more by accident than by design as a result of a manoeuvre by the Allied Commander in Chief Admiral Codrington aimed at coercing Ibrahim to obey Allied instructions. Destroys the Turkish and Egyptian fleet at the Battle of Navarino while in command of a combined British, French and Russian fleet. A fleet seeks out Turkish & Egyptian fleets sinking 50 & destroying the Turkish fleet
Battle of Navarino
Heyden commands the Russian squadron at Navarino
Battle of Navarino
After the Ottoman government rejects Allied mediation, the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet is destroyed at Navarino by British, French and Russian squadrons.
Battle of Navarino
especially after the invasion of the Peloponnese in 1825 by Ottoman vassal Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt and the atrocities committed by his forces.
Battle of Navarino
The Governments of all three powers were under intense pressure from their public opinion to help the Greeks.
Battle of Navarino
The naval Battle happens more by accident than by design as a result of a manoeuvre by the Allied Commander in Chief Admiral Codrington aimed at coercing Ibrahim to obey Allied instructions.
Battle of Navarino
Loses much of the Egyptian fleet when Allied warships destroy the Ottoman-Egyptian force at Navarino.
Battle of Navarino
Commands French warships in the Allied victory that follows efforts to enforce the London mediation.
Battle of Navarino
Commands the French squadron in the Allied fleet that destroys the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at Navarino.
Battle of Navarino
De Rigny commands the French squadron at Navarino
Battle of Talana Hill
Commands Boer forces at Talana Hill.
Battle of Talana Hill
Symons leads the British attack at Talana Hill and is mortally wounded during the fighting.
Battle of Talana Hill
British forces win tactically but withdraw toward Ladysmith.
Battle of Talana Hill
Forced back by a Boer force led by Transvaal General Joubert
Battle of Bakenlaagte
Botha defeats a British force
Battle of Ypres, 1st
Rawlinson helps hold the line during First Ypres.
Battle of Flanders
The Allies reach the Dutch border
Battle of Namka Chu
Brigadier John Dalvi commands 7 Infantry Brigade during the Chinese assault on Indian positions along the Namka Chu.
Coronations on October 20
Coronation
Crowned King of Great Britain