Name: Sun Yat-sen founds Tongmenghui in Tokyo, sparking Chinese revolution
Start: 1905-08-20
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Holidays on August 20, 2026:

National Hawaiian Pizza Day

National Hawaiian Pizza Day, 8/20/2026, indulge in sweet and savory flavors, unique ham and pineapple pairing. more >>

World Mosquito Day

World Mosquito Day (8/20/2026) - Learn about the crucial role mosquitoes play in spreading diseases and how you can help reduce their impact. more >>

National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day

National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day, 8/20/2026: Indulge in the perfect blend of gooey chocolate and crunchy pecans in a flaky pastry crust. more >>

International Day of Medical Transporters

International Day of Medical Transporters, 8/20/2026: Discover the truth about this lesser-known holiday, and learn if it's a real observance. more >>

National Hazy IPA Day

National Hazy IPA Day, 8/20/2026: Discover the craft brewing world's beloved beer style, with limited-edition releases and unique flavor profiles. more >>

National Lemonade Day

National Lemonade Day, 8/20/2026, discover how kids run their own lemonade stands, learn valuable skills, and promote creativity and community engagement. more >>

National Accessible Air Travel Day

National Accessible Air Travel Day, 8/20/2026, discover the progress towards inclusive air travel and learn how to make a difference. more >>

Virtual Worlds Day

Discover the truth behind Virtual Worlds Day on 8/20/2026. Is it a real holiday or just a myth? more >>

Birthdays on August 20:

Demi Lovato

33 Years Old

A talented singer-songwriter and actress who has released several chart-topping albums and singles, and has been open about her struggles with mental health and addiction.

Robert Plant

77 Years Old

Lead vocalist of Led Zeppelin, iconic rock band that redefined heavy metal and hard rock music with powerful, bluesy vocals and mystical lyrics.

Amy Adams

51 Years Old

Acclaimed actress starring in a wide range of film genres, from comedy to drama, with notable roles in "Junebug" and "American Hustle". Known for her versatility and nuanced perfor...

Andrew Garfield

42 Years Old

A talented actor who has played iconic roles like Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has received critical acclaim for his performances in films like "Hacksaw Ridge" a...

Ke Huy Quan

54 Years Old

A Vietnamese-American actor who rose to fame as a child star in the 1980s, known for iconic roles in "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom".

David O. Russell

67 Years Old

Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind quirky, character-driven dramas and comedies, often exploring themes of family, identity, and redemption. Known for directing critically accl...

Don King

94 Years Old

A flamboyant and controversial figure who promoted some of the most iconic boxing matches in history, known for his charismatic personality and outlandish hairstyles.

Al Roker

71 Years Old

A beloved TV personality and author, best known for his charismatic weather forecasts and enthusiastic reporting on NBC's Today show. He's also a prolific writer of mystery novels ...

David Walliams

54 Years Old

A beloved comedian, actor, and author, best known for his hilarious antics on the popular TV show "Little Britain" and his children's books, which have become modern classics.

Isaac Hayes

Died in 2008, aged 65

A legendary soul and R&B musician, known for his smooth, deep voice and iconic theme song for the movie "Shaft".

Connie Chung

79 Years Old

Award-winning journalist and news anchor, known for her in-depth reporting and interviewing skills, particularly during her time on CBS Evening News and 20/20.

James Marsters

63 Years Old

Noted for his iconic role as Spike in the cult TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he's a talented actor with a knack for playing complex characters.

Events from History on August 20:

33 years ago

Israel and PLO sign historic Oslo Accords (Oslo, Norway, and Washington, D.C., USA) 1993

In a bold move towards peace, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat put aside decades of conflict, shaking hands on the Oslo Accords. These secret negotiations in Norway paved the way for a Palestinian self-governing authority, Palestinian police force, and eventual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho. The Accords sparked a new era of cooperation, raising hopes for a lasting Middle East peace.

168 years ago

Charles Darwin publishes theory of evolution alongside Alfred Russel Wallace (London, England, UK) 1858

It's a seismic shift in scientific understanding! Charles Darwin, the brilliant British naturalist, finally shares his revolutionary idea - evolution through natural selection - with the world. In a groundbreaking joint publication, he's joined by Alfred Russel Wallace, a fellow pioneer, who independently arrived at the same groundbreaking concept. Together, they shake the foundations of biology and beyond, introducing the concept of species adaptation and change over time. Their work, appearing in The Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, sparks a new era in scientific inquiry, paving the way for major breakthroughs in fields like genetics and paleontology.

82 years ago

Soviet Union launches massive offensive into Romania (Romania) 1944

Soviet troops, fueled by their relentless push westward, unleashed a colossal assault on Romanian forces, marking the start of the Battle of Romania on August 20, 1944. As the Red Army surged forward, Romanian defenses crumbled, paving the way for a potentially decisive blow to the Axis powers. With stakes at an all-time high, the stage was set for a brutal and pivotal showdown in Eastern Europe.

35 years ago

-more than 100,000 protest Soviet coup (Moscow, Russia) 1991

Thousands of defiant Muscovites poured onto the streets, encircling the Russian White House, their voices thundering in defiance of the hardline communist plotters who'd seized power. The coup, orchestrated by Vice President Gennady Yanayev and other high-ranking officials, aimed to topple Mikhail Gorbachev, the reform-minded Soviet President. But the people would have none of it, rallying behind their leader and his vision of a freer, more democratic Soviet Union. The air was electric with tension as protesters, braving riot police and tanks, chanted slogans and waved flags, refusing to back down.

58 years ago

Soviet Forces Crush Czechoslovakian Reform Movement (Prague, Czechoslovakia) 1968

As the last wisps of summer faded, the Prague Spring, a beacon of democratic hope in communist Czechoslovakia, was brutally extinguished by Soviet tanks. The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance of Soviet-aligned states, orchestrated the invasion, with East Germany contributing only a handful of specialists, still haunted by the ghosts of World War II. Albania and Romania, however, refused to participate, defying Soviet pressure. The invasion crushed the reformist government, silencing the voices of liberation and shackling Czechoslovakia to Soviet dominance for decades to come.

121 years ago

Sun Yat-sen founds Tongmenghui in Tokyo, sparking Chinese revolution (Tokyo, Japan) 1905

Revolution was in the air when Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and othervisionaries gathered in Tokyo, Japan. These bold thinkers shared a dream of overthrowing the centuries-old Qing dynasty and modernizing China. United by their passion for democracy and reform, they formed the Tongmenghui, a radical organization that would shake the foundations of Chinese politics. With Sun's charismatic leadership and Song's strategic mind, they inspired a generation of Chinese students and intellectuals to join their fight for freedom and equality. As the Tongmenghui's influence spread, the once-mighty Qing empire began to crumble, paving the way for a new era in Chinese history.

Notable Deaths on August 20:

2017Jerry Lewis Legendary American entertainer known for his comedic genius

2012Phyllis Diller Comedic actress and actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows

1980Joe Dassin French-American singer-songwriter known for his charming voice and lyrics

2001Kim Stanley American football player and athlete

2013Elmore Leonard Best-selling author crafting gritty crime stories

1912William Booth Notorious English preacher and co-founder of The Salvation Army

2008Stephanie Tubbs Jones American lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Congress

2021Igor Vovkovinskiy Ukrainian-American actor who defied gravity with his unique height

2008Ed Freeman Notable pilot and Medal of Honor recipient known for his bravery in combat

2005Thomas Herrion Polish drummer and songwriter

1914Pope Pius X Pope Pius X, a renowned figure in the Catholic Church during the early 20th century

2013Ted Post Versatile director expertly weaving cinematic tales

2009Larry Knechtel Session musician and bassist who played with various notable artists

1995Hugo Pratt Italian comic book maestro

1961Percy Williams Bridgman American physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of physics

1823Pope Pius VII Pope Pius VII, a renowned figure in the Catholic Church during the 18th and 19th centuries

2008Hua Guofeng Chinese politician and leader who served as the 2nd Premier of the People's Republic of China

2014Edmund Szoka Moral compass of faith, guiding principles to action

2009Karla Kuskin Award-winning author and illustrator of children's books

1917Adolf von Baeyer German chemist and Nobel laureate who discovered the key to understanding molecular structure.

National Radio Day