This Day In History : February 20

1983 Japan

Japan Launches Tenma Satellite to Study X-Rays

On February 20, 1983, Japan launches the Tenma satellite into orbit to study X-rays from space. This satellite, orbiting at altitudes of 450 to 570 km, plays a crucial role in advancing X-ray astronomy and enhancing our understanding of cosmic phenomena. Tenma's mission marks a significant step in Japan's space research efforts.

Also on This Day in History February 20

Discover what happened on February 20 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, February 20
  • 1931 John Willard Milnor

    American mathematician who was awarded the Fields Medal in 1962 for his his proof that a 7-dimensional sphere can have 28 different differential structures.

  • 1945 George Smoot

    American astrophysicist and cosmologist who studied the cosmic microwave background and discovered the signature of gravitational waves.

  • 1892 Raymond Cecil Moore

    American paleontologist known for his work on Paleozoic crinoids, bryozoans, and corals (invertebrate organisms existing 570 to 245 million years ago).

  • 1844 Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann

    Austrian physicist who founded statistical mechanics.

  • 1873 Charles Hubbard Judd

    American psychologist who was a leader adopting the scientific method in the study and reform of education.

Deaths on This Day, February 20
  • 1993 Ferruccio Lamborghini

    Italian industrialist who founded a luxury car company that produced some of the fastest, most expensive, and sought-after sports cars in the world.

  • 1972 Maria Goeppert-Mayer

    German physicist who shared one-half of the 1963 Nobel Prize for Physics with J. Hans D. Jensen of West Germany for their proposal of the shell nuclear model.

  • 1762 Johann Tobias Mayer

    German astronomer who developed lunar tables that greatly assisted navigators in determining longitude at sea.

  • 1928 Antonio Abetti

    Italian astronomer who was an authority on minor planets.

  • 1956 Heinrich Barkhausen

    He was a German physicist who discovered the Barkhausen effect (1919), a principle concerning changes in the magnetic properties of metal.

1962

John Glenn in orbit

In 1962, John Glenn piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 Friendship 7 spacecraft on the first U.S. manned orbital mission, launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
1962

First U.S. Citizen to Orbit Earth Returns Safely

On February 20, 1962, John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, lands safely in the Atlantic Ocean. His historic flight aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft makes him a national hero and a symbol of American space exploration achievements. Glenn's mission demonstrates the growing capabilities of U.S. space technology.
1792

The Postal Service Act Signed by President Washington

On February 20, 1792, President George Washington signs the Postal Service Act, which establishes the U.S. Post Office Department. This act creates a formal framework for the national postal system, facilitating communication across the United States. The establishment of this department marks a significant step in the country's development and infrastructure.
1965

Ranger 8 Hard Lands on the Moon, Returns Valuable Data

On February 20, 1965, NASA's Ranger 8 spacecraft makes a controlled crash landing on the Moon, transmitting a wealth of photos and scientific data before impact. This successful mission provides crucial information about the lunar surface, advancing our understanding of the Moon's geology and topography.
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