Also on This Day in History March 20
Discover what happened on March 20 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.
Births on This Day, March 20
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1925
David Warren
Australian scientist and inventor of Flight Data Recorder, Cockpit Voice Recorder
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1906
Pavel Parenago
Soviet scientist and astronomer (stellar astronomy)
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1926
Harold Rosen
American engineer who created geosynchronous communications satellite
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1856
Frederick Winslow Taylor
American mechanical engineer and the father of scientific management
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1895
Fredric Wertham
German psychologist
Deaths on This Day, March 20
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1962
A. E. Douglass
American astronomer and inventor of dendrochronology (tree-ring dating)
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2017
George Weinberg
American psychotherapist who coined the word homophobia
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1878
Julius Robert von Mayer
German physician and physicist who discovered first law of thermodynamics
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1932
Ilya Ivanovich Ivanov
Russian biologist (artificial insemination of animals)
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1950
Walter Eucken
German economist (social market economy)
1602
Dutch East India Company Established, Pioneers Stock Issuance
On March 20, 1602, the Dutch East India Company was established, becoming the first company to issue stock. This innovative move laid the foundation for modern corporate finance and stock markets, revolutionizing trade and commerce.
1987
NASA Launches Palapa B2P Satellite
On March 20, 1987, NASA successfully launched the Palapa B2P satellite. This satellite, part of Indonesia's communications network, aimed to enhance telecommunication services across the region. The launch marked a significant step in international space collaboration.
1883
Unity Treaty of Paris Signed, Protects Industrial Property
On March 20, 1883, the Unity Treaty of Paris was signed, establishing the first international system to protect industrial property. This treaty paved the way for global cooperation in intellectual property rights, benefiting inventors and industries worldwide.
1956
Tunisia Gains Independence from France
On March 20, 1956, Tunisia gained independence from France, ending decades of colonial rule. This historic event allowed Tunisia to begin its journey as a sovereign nation, shaping its own future and governance.