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March 20, 2025 Holiday:

International Earth Day

International Earth Day is a joyous celebration that brings people together to promote environmental protection and sustainability. This special day is all about raising awareness about the importance of preserving our planet's natural resources and taking action to reduce our impact on the environment. People from all walks of life come together to participate in activities such as clean-up initiatives, tree planting, and educational events that focus on eco-friendly practices. It's a time to reflect on our daily habits and make conscious choices to reduce, reuse, and recycle, ultimately striving for a healthier and more sustainable future. By celebrating International Earth Day, we're reminded of our responsibility to be good stewards of the planet and to protect it for generations to come.

Learn more about International Earth Day
Holidays on March 20, 2025:

The First Day of Spring

The First Day of Spring, 3/20/2025 - Mark the beginning of warmer weather and longer days with outdoor activities, nature appreciation, and traditional symbols of renewal. more >>

International Day of Happiness

International Day of Happiness, 3/20/2025, promotes global well-being, positivity, and mental health through kindness, charity, and gratitude. more >>

Ostara

Discover the joy and vibrancy of Ostara, a pagan holiday honoring spring's arrival and new life, on March 20, 2025. more >>

March Equinox

March Equinox, 3/20/2025: A time of balance, renewal, and transition, marking the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. more >>

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, 3/20/2025: Acknowledge young individuals' unique qualities and strengths with heartfelt letters of appreciation and encouragement. more >>

Proposal Day!

Proposal Day! 3/20/2025 - A romantic holiday where couples share unforgettable moments, expressing love and commitment with surprise proposals and heartfelt words. more >>

French Language Day

French Language Day, 3/20/2025: Unite with Francophones and Francophiles in honoring the beauty and richness of the French language. more >>

Naw-Ruz

Naw-Ruz, marking spring's arrival & new year, symbolizing good over evil & light over darkness. more >>

World Storytelling Day

World Storytelling Day, 3/20/2025: Join the global celebration of oral storytelling, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting community-building through tales, myths, and legends. more >>
Birthdays on March 20:

Fred Rogers

Died in 2003, aged 74

Beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, a iconic children's television show that promoted emotional intelligence, empathy, and kindness, educating generations of young minds.

Spike Lee

68 Years Old

Acclaimed filmmaker behind provocative, genre-bending movies that explore race, politics, and social justice, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary cinema.

Sting

66 Years Old

A legendary professional wrestler known for his intense matches, iconic face paint, and unforgettable entrances. He's a 14-time world champion and a WWE Hall of Famer.

Chester Bennington

Died in 2017, aged 41

Lead vocalist of Linkin Park, known for his powerful, emotive voice and introspective songwriting that resonated with a generation of music fans.

Fernando Torres

41 Years Old

A prolific goal-scorer who played for top-tier clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea, earning the nickname "El Niño" for his speed and clinical finishing. Won numerous titles, including...

Carl Reiner

Died in 2020, aged 98

A comedic genius behind iconic TV shows and films, creating laughter and entertainment for generations through his work in front of and behind the camera.

Daniel Cormier

46 Years Old

A former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion, known for his impressive fighting skills and rivalry with Jon Jones.

Sviatoslav Richter

Born in 1915

A renowned Ukrainian pianist and composer, celebrated for his breathtaking performances of classical masterpieces, particularly those of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.

Vera Lynn

Died in 2020, aged 103

A beloved British entertainer, known as the "Forces' Sweetheart" for boosting morale with patriotic songs during World War II, and a chart-topping vocalist with a career spanning d...

Lois Lowry

88 Years Old

Award-winning author of children's literature, known for thought-provoking and often dystopian novels that explore complex social issues, such as The Giver and Number the Stars.

Mike Francesa

71 Years Old

A legendary sports radio personality and commentator, known for his outspoken opinions and passionate debates on New York sports teams.

Lee "Scratch" Perry

Died in 2021, aged 85

A Jamaican music legend who pioneered dub music, producing and inventing innovative recording techniques that influenced generations of musicians. Known for his eclectic and experi...

Events from History on March 20:
210 years ago
Napoleon returns to power in France with massive army (Paris, France) 1815
Napoleon Bonaparte, the infamous French military leader, shook the foundations of Europe on this fateful day! After a brief exile on the island of Elba, Napoleon escaped and landed on the French mainland, where he quickly gathered an astonishing 140,000-strong regular army and a massive volunteer force of around 200,000 loyal followers. With his powerful army, he marched triumphantly into Paris, marking the beginning of his infamous "Hundred Days" rule, which would ultimately end at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon's return to power sent shockwaves across Europe, as he sought to reclaim his lost glory and reassert French dominance.
22 years ago
US-led coalition invades Iraq in 2003 (Baghdad, Iraq) 2003
The dice had been cast, the fate of Saddam Hussein's regime was sealed. US President George W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski had long been warning of Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, and now their patience had worn thin. In the dead of night, a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missiles rained down on Baghdad, signaling the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The invasion marked a divisive and controversial chapter in modern history, sparking widespread protests and raising tough questions about the true motives behind the war.
92 years ago
Himmler orders creation of Dachau concentration camp (Munich, Germany) 1933
Theodor Eicke, a seasoned Nazi officer, was about to take on a new role, but not just any role - he was handpicked by Heinrich Himmler, the Reichsführer-SS and Chief of Police of Munich, to oversee a groundbreaking project. Himmler's vision was to establish a model concentration camp, one that would set the standard for all others to follow. This camp would be named Dachau, and it would become the epitome of Nazi terror and oppression. With Eicke at the helm, Dachau would soon earn its notorious reputation as a place of brutal suppression and human suffering.
109 years ago
Einstein submits General Theory of Relativity paper (Berlin, Germany) 1916
Albert Einstein's brilliant mind was working overtime, and on this fateful day, he finally submitted his groundbreaking paper, "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity," to the prestigious journal Annalen der Physik. This revolutionary work would shake the foundations of physics, overthrowing long-held beliefs about space and time. With this submission, Einstein cemented his legacy as a visionary genius, forever changing our understanding of the cosmos.
38 years ago
FDA approves AZT to combat AIDS (Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA) 1987
In the darkest hours of the AIDS epidemic, a beacon of hope emerged when Burroughs Wellcome's azidothymidine, or AZT, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. This groundbreaking antiretroviral drug marked a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly disease, offering a glimmer of hope to millions affected worldwide. With AZT, doctors could finally treat HIV-positive patients, slowing the progression of the disease and giving patients a chance to live longer, healthier lives.
173 years ago
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes groundbreaking novel Uncle Tom's Cabin (Unknown Location) 1852
Harriet Beecher Stowe's powerful anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, burst onto the literary scene, exposing the harsh realities of slavery and igniting a firestorm of controversy. This influential book humanized the horrors of slavery, telling the tragic tale of Tom, a devout and loyal slave, and Eliza, a desperate mother fighting to protect her child. Stowe's vivid characters and gripping narrative sparked a national conversation, solidifying her place as a pioneering abolitionist. As the first American novel to sell over a million copies, Uncle Tom's Cabin became a cultural phenomenon, shaping public opinion and contributing to the escalating tensions leading up to the Civil War.
Notable Deaths on March 20:
2020Kenny Rogers Rhinestone cowboy and music legend
1990Lev Yashin Russian footballer and sports legend who won numerous awards and accolades for his exceptional skills.
2017David Rockefeller Philanthropic American banker and patron
1972Marilyn Maxwell American actress known for her charming screen presence and glamorous film roles.
2013James Herbert Renowned horror and supernatural author
1994Lewis Grizzard satirical writer
1413Henry IV of England Magnanimous English monarch and statesman
2012Jim Stynes Legendary Australian Rules footballer and advocate
2010Stewart Udall Secretary of the Interior and politician of American public service
1964Brendan Behan Irish republican who fought for independence
1997V. S. Pritchett English writer, essayist, and critic who produced a prolific body of work and critique, celebrated for his insightful literary analysis.
1968Carl Theodor Dreyer Danish film director known for his innovative storytelling
1929Ferdinand Foch French field marshal who led troops to allied victory
2015Malcolm Fraser Transformative Australian politician and statesman
2014Khushwant Singh Prolific Indian journalist and storyteller
2023John Sattler Australian rugby league stalwart
2019Mary Warnock Influential British philosopher and writer
2016Anker Jørgensen Transformative Danish politician and statesman
2015Eva Burrows Respected Australian Salvation Army leader
2010Ai Award-winning poet and educator of American literary scene