February 20
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Eleutherius of Tournai, Eucherius of Orléans, Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto, Frederick Douglass(Episcopal Church (USA)), Wulfric of Haselbury, February 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day marking the liturgical commemoration of several saints and martyrs on February 20.
Day of Heavenly Hundred Heroes(Ukraine)
A memorial day in Ukraine honoring those who died during the 2014 Maidan protests.
World Day of Social Justice
An annual United Nations observance promoting efforts to address poverty, exclusion, and inequality worldwide.
Eleutherius of Tournai
Feast day honoring Eleutherius of Tournai, the first bishop of Tournai celebrated for his early missionary work.
Eucherius of Orléans
Feast day celebrating Saint Eucherius, an 8th-century bishop of Orléans known for his scholarship and piety.
Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto
Feast day honoring Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the child visionaries of the 1917 Fátima apparitions.
Frederick Douglass(Episcopal Church (USA))
Episcopal Church observance commemorating Frederick Douglass, the celebrated abolitionist and statesman.
Wulfric of Haselbury
Feast day honoring Wulfric of Haselbury, a 12th-century English hermit known for his ascetic life and miracles.
February 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
An Eastern Orthodox liturgical observance commemorating various saints and events on February 20.
Events
The Milanese army and the St. George's (San Giorgio) Mercenaries of Lodrisio Visconti clash in the Battle of Parabiago; Visconti is defeated.
In 1339, the Milanese army defeated Lodrisio Visconti's mercenaries at the Battle of Parabiago, securing Milan's dominance.
Orkney and Shetland are pawned by Norway to Scotland in lieu of a dowry for Margaret of Denmark.
In 1472, Norway pawned the Orkney and Shetland islands to Scotland as security for Princess Margaret's dowry, leading to a permanent territorial transfer.
Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León sets out from San Juan, Puerto Rico, for Florida with about 200 prospective colonists.
In 1521, Juan Ponce de León departed Puerto Rico with around 200 colonists on his second expedition to explore and settle Florida.
Edward VI of England is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.
On February 20, 1547, Edward VI was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, ascending the throne as a boy of just nine years old.
Yohannan Sulaqa professes his Catholic belief and is ordained as bishop shortly after; this marks the beginning of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
In 1553, Yohannan Sulaqa's ordination as bishop and affirmation of Catholic faith founded the Chaldean Catholic Church in communion with Rome.
René-Robert Cavelier establishes Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay thus forming the basis for France's claim to Texas.
In 1685, explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, founded Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay, asserting France's territorial ambitions in Texas.
The Postal Service Act, establishing the United States Post Office Department, is signed by United States President George Washington.
On February 20, 1792, President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, creating the United States Post Office Department and standardizing mail delivery.
Louis-Alexandre Berthier removes Pope Pius VI from power.
In 1798, French General Louis-Alexandre Berthier deposed Pope Pius VI and proclaimed the Roman Republic, ending papal temporal authority.
Manuel Belgrano defeats the royalist army of Pío de Tristán during the Battle of Salta.
On February 20, 1813, General Manuel Belgrano won a decisive victory over royalist forces at the Battle of Salta, bolstering Argentina's fight for independence.
Births
Eleanor of Aragon
Queen consort of Castile as spouse of John I, remembered for her political influence in 14th-century Iberia.
Thomas Cajetan
Italian Renaissance philosopher, theologian, and cardinal, known for his influential commentaries on Aristotle.
Jan Blahoslav
Czech humanist writer and translator, notable for his contributions to Czech literature and hymnography.
Francesco Maria II della Rovere
Last Duke of Urbino, remembered for his cultural patronage and the eventual sale of his duchy to the Papal States.
Sengoku Hidehisa
Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku and early Edo periods, known for his shifting allegiances and military leadership.
Arthur Capell
English noble and Royalist politician famous for his leadership during the Civil War and tragic execution.
Thomas Osborne
English statesman and the 1st Duke of Leeds, who played a pivotal role in Restoration England.
Jan de Baen
Dutch Golden Age portrait painter renowned for his dignified depictions of European nobility.
Nicolas Chédeville
French Baroque composer and master of the musette, known for popularizing the instrument at Louis XV's court.
Deaths
Leo of Catania
Leo of Catania was a Sicilian saint and Bishop of Catania, celebrated for his miracles, compassionate charity, and staunch defense of the faithful.
Theodora
Theodora was Byzantine Empress and co-ruler alongside Justinian I, noted for her political acumen and advocacy for women's rights.
Yaroslav the Wise
Yaroslav the Wise was Grand Prince of Kiev who presided over a cultural and legal golden age in Kievan Rus.
Saint Wulfric of Haselbury was an English hermit and mystic, revered for his ascetic life and prophetic gifts.
Conan IV
Conan IV was the Duke of Brittany who secured his duchy's autonomy through alliances with the English crown.
Tancred
Tancred was King of Sicily who defended his kingdom against imperial claims and maintained Norman rule in southern Italy.
Al-Musta'sim
Al-Musta'sim was the last Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad, whose reign ended with the Mongol siege that destroyed the city.
Henry Percy
Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, was a prominent English noble and military commander who shaped northern politics in the late 14th century.
Pope Martin V was the pontiff whose election at the Council of Constance ended the Western Schism and restored papal unity.