March 20

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1600day.year

The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden: five Swedish noblemen are publicly beheaded in the aftermath of the War against Sigismund (1598–1599).

On March 20, 1600, five Swedish noblemen were publicly beheaded at Linköping in a punitive action following the War against Sigismund.
On Maundy Thursday, March 20, 1600, five noble supporters of King Sigismund were publicly beheaded in Linköping, Sweden. The executions were ordered by Duke Charles, who had seized power after Sigismund’s defeat in the War against Sigismund (1598–1599). Charged with treason for backing the deposed monarch, the condemned nobles included prominent members of the Swedish aristocracy. The brutal spectacle was intended to deter further resistance and legitimize Charles’s rule as Carl IX. The Linköping Bloodbath deepened divisions within Swedish politics and contributed to the establishment of a new royal dynasty. Today, the event is remembered as a stark example of religious and dynastic conflict in early modern Europe.
1600 Linköping Bloodbath Maundy Thursday Linköping publicly beheaded War against Sigismund
1815day.year

After escaping from Elba, Napoleon enters Paris with a regular army of 140,000 and a volunteer force of around 200,000, beginning his "Hundred Days" rule.

On March 20, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte returned from exile and entered Paris, marking the start of his 'Hundred Days' rule before the Battle of Waterloo.
After escaping exile on Elba, Napoleon Bonaparte marched through France and triumphantly entered Paris on March 20, 1815. King Louis XVIII fled the capital, allowing Napoleon to reclaim power and inaugurate his 'Hundred Days' of rule. He quickly assembled a regular army of 140,000 soldiers and mobilized an additional 200,000 volunteers. Napoleon issued reforms, restored civil freedoms, and prepared to face the allied monarchies determined to remove him. His return galvanized troops and inspired supporters but also alarmed European powers, leading to the formation of the Seventh Coalition. This dramatic comeback culminated in the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon’s final abdication just months later.
1815 Elba Napoleon Hundred Days
1933day.year

Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the creation of Dachau concentration camp as Chief of Police of Munich and appointed Theodor Eicke as the camp commandant.

Heinrich Himmler ordered the establishment of Dachau concentration camp in Munich in 1933, appointing Theodor Eicke as its first commandant.
In March 1933, as Chief of Police in Munich, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the creation of Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp. He appointed Theodor Eicke, a committed SS officer, as its inaugural commandant. Originally intended to detain political opponents, the camp soon expanded its scope to include various prisoner groups. Inmates endured forced labor, harsh conditions, and brutal treatment under SS administration. Dachau served as a model and training ground for the vast network of camps that followed. Its establishment marked a grim turning point in the Nazi regime's systematic persecution of dissent. Over the next decade, tens of thousands would suffer and die within its barbed-wire enclosures. Today, the site stands as a memorial and stark reminder of totalitarian cruelty.
1933 Heinrich Himmler Dachau concentration camp Chief of Police Munich Theodor Eicke
1942day.year

World War II: General Douglas MacArthur, at Terowie, South Australia, makes his famous speech regarding the fall of the Philippines, in which he says: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return".

General Douglas MacArthur declares 'I came out of Bataan and I shall return' in a speech in Terowie, South Australia, in 1942.
On March 20, 1942, General Douglas MacArthur delivered his iconic promise at Terowie station in South Australia during World War II. Reflecting on the brutal defense and fall of Bataan in the Philippines, he vowed, 'I came out of Bataan and I shall return.' The speech symbolized Allied resilience and became a rallying cry for Filipino and American forces. MacArthur's words boosted morale during a challenging phase of the Pacific campaign. They underscored his personal commitment to liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Over time, the promise gained legendary status and shaped postwar memories. MacArthur would fulfill his pledge in October 1944 when Allied forces landed on Leyte. The speech endures as one of the most memorable moments of World War II leadership.
1942 World War II Douglas MacArthur Terowie, South Australia fall of the Philippines Bataan
1972day.year

The Troubles: The first car bombing by the Provisional IRA in Belfast kills seven people and injures 148 others in Northern Ireland.

In Belfast on March 20, 1972, the Provisional IRA carries out its first car bombing, killing seven and wounding 148 in a deadly escalation of The Troubles.
On March 20, 1972, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) plants a car bomb in central Belfast. The explosion claims the lives of seven people and injures 148 others, many of them civilians. This marks the first use of a car bomb by the IRA in Belfast, introducing a more destructive tactic. The attack intensifies sectarian violence and fuels anger on both sides of the Northern Ireland conflict. British authorities respond with heightened security measures and increased military patrols. Communities across Northern Ireland are traumatized by the scale of civilian casualties. The bombing becomes a grim milestone in The Troubles, affecting the course of the conflict.
1972 The Troubles first car bombing Provisional IRA Belfast Northern Ireland
1988day.year

Eritrean War of Independence: Having defeated the Nadew Command, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front enters the town of Afabet, victoriously concluding the Battle of Afabet.

The Eritrean People's Liberation Front captures Afabet in 1988, decisively defeating government forces and concluding the Battle of Afabet in the fight for Eritrean independence.
During the Eritrean War of Independence, EPLF forces engage the Ethiopian Nadew Command at Afabet in March 1988. After intense fighting, the EPLF emerges victorious, routing government troops and seizing strategic positions. The Battle of Afabet ends with the liberation front's capture of the town, marking a turning point in the conflict. This victory boosts morale among Eritrean fighters and accelerates their push toward full independence. It also weakens Ethiopian military presence in northern Eritrea, disrupting supply lines and communications. International observers note the battle as one of the most significant engagements of the war. The success at Afabet propels the EPLF toward eventual victory in 1991 and Eritrea's de facto independence.
1988 Eritrean War of Independence Eritrean People's Liberation Front Afabet Battle of Afabet
1993day.year

The Troubles: A Provisional IRA bomb kills two children in Warrington, England. It leads to mass protests in both Britain and Ireland.

A Provisional IRA bomb in Warrington in 1993 kills two children and provokes mass protests across Britain and Ireland, highlighting civilian suffering during The Troubles.
On March 20, 1993, the Provisional IRA plants a bomb in a shopping district in Warrington, England. The explosion tragically kills two young brothers and injures dozens of civilians. News of the children's deaths sparks shock and widespread public anger on both sides of the Irish Sea. Mass protests erupt in Britain and Ireland, demanding an end to violence in Northern Ireland. The bombing underscores the human cost of The Troubles and the vulnerability of civilians. UK and Irish leaders condemn the attack, renewing calls for peace negotiations. The incident becomes a catalyst for later ceasefire efforts by the IRA.
1993 The Troubles kills two children Warrington
1995day.year

The Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo carries out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, killing 13 and wounding over 6,200 people.

Aum Shinrikyo carries out the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, killing 13 and injuring over 6,200, marking one of Japan's worst acts of domestic terrorism.
On March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult release sarin nerve gas on Tokyo's subway system. The coordinated attack results in 13 deaths and more than 6,200 injuries during morning rush hour. Commuters experience blurred vision, convulsions, and respiratory distress amid the chemical assault. The incident shocks Japan, a country with strict gun laws and low violent crime rates, exposing new security vulnerabilities. Authorities launch a massive manhunt, uncovering the cult's stockpile of chemical weapons and complex operations. Public outrage leads to stricter anti-terrorism laws and enhanced emergency preparedness measures. The attack remains a grim reminder of the destructive potential of domestic extremist groups.
1995 Aum Shinrikyo sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway
2003day.year

Iraq War: The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland begin an invasion of Iraq.

Coalition forces launch the invasion of Iraq in 2003, marking the beginning of the Iraq War and a major shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
On March 20, 2003, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland initiate military operations against Iraq. Known as 'shock and awe,' the coalition employs extensive air strikes to disable Iraqi command and control. Ground troops follow, advancing toward Baghdad with the objective of toppling Saddam Hussein's regime. The invasion sparks international debate over its legality and the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Civilians and insurgents quickly become entangled in fierce combat and urban warfare. Major combat operations officially conclude in May 2003, but the conflict transitions into a protracted insurgency. The war reshapes regional alliances and triggers years of instability across the Middle East.
2003 Iraq War invasion of Iraq
2006day.year

Over 150 Chadian soldiers are killed in eastern Chad by members of the rebel UFDC. The rebel movement sought to overthrow Chadian president Idriss Déby.

In March 2006, the UFDC rebel alliance launched a surprise assault in eastern Chad, resulting in the deaths of over 150 government soldiers in an attempt to unseat President Idriss Déby.
In March 2006, the UFDC rebel alliance mounted a surprise attack on Chadian army positions in the east. Over 150 government soldiers were killed during the assault. The UFDC emerged from discontent with President Idriss Déby's long rule and allegations of corruption. This ambush marked one of the deadliest confrontations in the ongoing Chadian civil strife. The government responded with a counteroffensive to secure border regions and key towns. The violence underscored the fragility of Chad's political stability and regional security.
2006 Chadian soldiers Chad UFDC Chadian president Idriss Déby
2012day.year

At least 52 people are killed and more than 250 injured in a wave of terror attacks across ten cities in Iraq.

A coordinated wave of bombings and shootings across ten Iraqi cities on 20 March 2012 left at least 52 dead and over 250 injured, marking one of the year’s deadliest terror outbreaks.
On 20 March 2012, militants orchestrated a wave of bombings and assaults targeting civilian and security sites across Iraq. Attacks struck markets, mosques, and checkpoints in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk and other cities. At least 52 civilians lost their lives, and over 250 were wounded in the violence. Sectarian tensions soared as Sunni extremist groups claimed responsibility. The government declared a state of emergency and launched manhunts for the perpetrators. This surge in violence underscored the fragility of Iraq’s security situation two years after the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
2012 wave of terror attacks Iraq
2014day.year

Four suspected Taliban members attack the Kabul Serena Hotel, killing at least nine people.

Taliban gunmen breached the Kabul Serena Hotel on 20 March 2014, leading to a deadly siege that claimed the lives of at least nine individuals.
On the evening of 20 March 2014, four armed attackers targeted the luxury Kabul Serena Hotel frequented by foreign diplomats and officials. The assault involved gunfire and a suicide vest detonation, causing heavy casualties. Security forces engaged the militants in a pitched battle that lasted several hours. Nine people, including hotel staff and guests, were confirmed killed, while dozens more were injured. The Taliban claimed responsibility, framing the attack as a strike against foreign influence. The incident prompted increased security measures at high-profile venues in Kabul and raised concerns about ongoing insurgent capabilities.
2014 Taliban attack Kabul Serena Hotel