January 20
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Armed Forces Day (Mali)
Armed Forces Day in Mali honors the contribution and dedication of the Malian military with parades and ceremonies across the country.
Army Day(Laos)
Army Day in Laos celebrates the founding and achievements of the Lao People’s Army with parades and official ceremonies.
Christianfeast day:
Abadios, BlessedBasil Moreau, Eustochia Smeralda Calafato, Euthymius the Great, Fabian, Manchán of Lemanaghan, Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando, Richard Rolle(Church of England), Sebastian, Stephen Min Kuk-ka(one of TheKorean Martyrs), January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day commemorates several saints and martyrs observed in various denominations on January 20.
Heroes' Day (Cape Verde)
Heroes’ Day in Cape Verde honors the memory of Amílcar Cabral and other independence leaders with ceremonies and wreath-laying events.
Martyrs' Day (Azerbaijan)
Martyrs’ Day in Azerbaijan remembers the victims of the 1990 Black January crackdown with memorial services and moments of silence.
Presidential inaugurations (United States)
In the United States, the presidential inauguration ceremony takes place every four years on January 20 to swear in the new president.
Abadios
BlessedBasil Moreau
Feast day of Blessed Basil Moreau commemorates the French priest who founded the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Eustochia Smeralda Calafato
The feast day of Saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato honors the humble Italian nun known for her piety and charitable works.
Events
Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution.
Pope Fabian, the Bishop of Rome, was executed in 250 during the Decian persecution.
Finnish peasant Lalli kills English clergyman Henry, the Bishop of Turku, on the ice of Lake Köyliö.
In 1156, Finnish peasant Lalli murdered Bishop Henry of Turku on the frozen Lake Köyliö.
The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the "Houses of Parliament".
In 1265, Simon de Montfort's parliament convened at the Palace of Westminster as the first assembly to include commoners alongside lords.
Duke Wladyslaw Lokietek becomes king of Poland.
On January 20, 1320, Władysław I the Elbow-high was crowned as King of Poland, uniting the fragmented Polish territories.
Edward Balliol surrenders his claim to the Scottish throne to Edward III in exchange for an English pension.
In 1356, Edward Balliol renounced his claim to the Scottish crown in exchange for an English pension from Edward III.
The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.
Europe's first public bank, the Taula de canvi in Barcelona, began operations on January 20, 1401.
Christian II is forced to abdicate as King of Denmark and Norway.
In 1523, King Christian II of Denmark and Norway was compelled to abdicate following a popular uprising and noble revolt.
Battle of Rio de Janeiro: Portuguese forces under the command of Estácio de Sá definitively drive the French out of Rio de Janeiro.
In 1567, Portuguese forces under Estácio de Sá expelled the French from Rio de Janeiro, securing control of the region.
The Mexican city of León is founded by order of the viceroy Don Martín Enríquez de Almanza.
On January 20, 1576, the city of León was founded in New Spain by Viceroy Martín Enríquez de Almanza.
Births
Gordian III
Roman emperor from 238 to 244 AD, one of the youngest rulers in Roman history.
Alp Arslan
Seljuk Sultan from 1063 to 1072, celebrated for his victory at the Battle of Manzikert.
Elizabeth of Bohemia
Queen consort of Bohemia from 1310 to 1330, influential in medieval Central European politics.
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
Eighth shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, known for patronizing Higashiyama culture.
Sebastian Münster
German scholar and cartographer whose 'Cosmographia' was the first German description of the world.
Sebastian Franck
German humanist and free-thinking writer in the early Reformation era.
Jean Quintin
French priest and knight renowned for his explorations and nautical writings.
Sebastian de Aparicio
Spanish-Mexican missionary and rancher who pioneered livestock farming in colonial Mexico.
Rafael Bombelli
Italian mathematician noted for his pioneering work on complex numbers.
Deaths
Eadbald
King of Kent from 616 to 640, Eadbald succeeded his father Æthelberht and oversaw the consolidation of Christianity in his kingdom.
Al-Shafi‘i
Arab scholar and jurist, founder of the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence.
Theophilos
Byzantine Emperor from 829 to 842, known for his patronage of the arts and iconoclast policies.
Louis the Younger
King of the East Frankish Kingdom from 876 until his death in 882.
Li Jitao
Chinese general of the Later Tang dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Zhao Guangfeng
Chinese official and chancellor of the Later Tang dynasty.
Heonae
Korean queen consort and regent who wielded significant political influence during her reign.
Wulfstan
Bishop of Worcester renowned for his piety and charitable works.
Henry
English bishop and Catholic saint, missionary to Finland and patron saint of Finland.