1861day.year
Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, attempting to display the value of balloons, makes record journey, flying 900 miles from Cincinnati to South Carolina.
Aeronaut Thaddeus S. C. Lowe completes a record-breaking 900-mile balloon flight from Cincinnati to South Carolina, showcasing the potential of aerial travel.
On April 20, 1861, inventor and aeronaut Thaddeus S. C. Lowe embarked on a daring balloon voyage from Cincinnati to South Carolina.
Covering approximately 900 miles, this record-setting flight aimed to demonstrate balloons’ value for communication and reconnaissance.
Lowe’s aerial journey captured public imagination at the dawn of the American Civil War, highlighting new military technologies.
His feat led to the formation of the Union Army Balloon Corps, where balloons were used for battlefield observation.
Lowe’s pioneering spirit opened the door to modern aeronautics and the strategic use of aerial platforms.
Thaddeus S. C. Lowe
1862day.year
Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard complete the experiment disproving the theory of spontaneous generation.
Pasteur and Bernard conclusively disprove spontaneous generation, reinforcing germ theory.
On April 20, 1862, Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard finalized experiments that dealt a decisive blow to the long-standing theory of spontaneous generation.
Using swan-neck flasks and boiled broths, they showed that sterilized media remained free of microbial life unless exposed to contaminated air.
Their meticulous methodology demonstrated that microorganisms arrive from outside sources rather than emerging spontaneously.
This landmark work provided strong experimental support for germ theory and revolutionized biology and medicine.
The findings laid the groundwork for pasteurization, sterile techniques, and a deeper understanding of infectious diseases.
1862
Louis Pasteur
Claude Bernard
spontaneous generation
1865day.year
Astronomer Angelo Secchi demonstrates the Secchi disk, which measures water clarity, aboard Pope Pius IX's yacht, the L'Immaculata Concezion.
Astronomer Angelo Secchi unveils the Secchi disk aboard Pope Pius IX's yacht, pioneering measurements of water clarity.
In 1865, Father Angelo Secchi introduced the Secchi disk aboard the pontifical yacht L'Immaculata Concezion of Pope Pius IX.
This simple white-and-black circular plate allowed for standardized measurement of water transparency in lakes and seas.
By lowering the disk into the water until it disappeared, Secchi could quantify turbidity — a critical parameter in marine and freshwater studies.
His innovation became a foundational tool in oceanography and limnology, still used by scientists worldwide.
Secchi’s work exemplified the blend of scientific inquiry and clerical support during a vibrant era of 19th-century exploration.
1865
Angelo Secchi
Secchi disk
Pope Pius IX
1902day.year
Pierre and Marie Curie refine radium chloride.
Pierre and Marie Curie refine radium chloride, advancing the study of radioactivity.
On April 20, 1902, scientists Pierre and Marie Curie achieved a significant breakthrough by producing pure radium chloride through meticulous chemical processes.
Their work built upon the discovery of radium and polonium and established reliable methods for isolating radioactive elements.
Refined radium chloride enabled detailed studies of radioactivity and its harmful and therapeutic effects.
The Curies’ research earned them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 and revolutionized fields from medicine to physics.
Their legacy endures in modern cancer treatments and the continued exploration of nuclear science.
1902
Pierre
Marie Curie
radium chloride
1972day.year
Apollo program: Apollo 16 Lunar Module, commanded by John Young and piloted by Charles Duke, lands on the Moon.
The Apollo 16 Lunar Module lands on the Moon, marking NASA's fifth crewed lunar landing.
On April 20, 1972, the Apollo 16 mission achieved its goal when the Lunar Module "Orion," piloted by Charles Duke and commanded by John Young, touched down in the Descartes Highlands of the Moon. The mission was the fifth and penultimate crewed lunar landing of the Apollo program. Over the course of their three-day stay, Young and Duke conducted three moonwalks, collecting rock and soil samples and deploying scientific experiments. Meanwhile, Command Module pilot Ken Mattingly orbited above in the Command Module "Casper." Apollo 16 provided valuable geological insights and demonstrated the versatility of human exploration on the lunar surface.
1972
Apollo program
Apollo 16
Lunar Module
John Young
Charles Duke
2023day.year
SpaceX's Starship rocket, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, launches for the first time. It explodes four minutes into flight.
SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket built, made its maiden flight in 2023 but exploded minutes after launch.
On April 20, 2023, SpaceX launched its Starship rocket prototype for the first time.
Starship, designed to be the most powerful rocket ever built, aimed to revolutionize space travel.
The vehicle lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, drawing global attention.
Four minutes into flight, the rocket experienced an anomaly and exploded.
Despite the failure, the launch provided valuable data for SpaceX engineers.
The test represented a significant milestone in the development of next-generation spacecraft.
CEO Elon Musk affirmed his commitment to iterative testing and improvement.
Preparations for subsequent flights began shortly after the event.
2023
SpaceX's Starship