July 20

Events

70day.year

Siege of Jerusalem: Titus, son of emperor Vespasian, storms the Fortress of Antonia north of the Temple Mount. The Roman army is drawn into street fights with the Zealots.

In 70 AD, Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, led Roman legions to storm the Fortress of Antonia during the Siege of Jerusalem, sparking fierce street battles with Zealot defenders.
In 70 AD, Roman legions under Titus laid siege to Jerusalem during the First Jewish–Roman War. The Fortress of Antonia, a strategic stronghold north of the Temple Mount, became the focus of the assault. Titus led the storming parties through heavily fortified gates, facing determined resistance from Zealot fighters. Street-by-street combat ensued, with Romans using siege engines and close-quarters tactics to overcome defenders. The capture of the fortress undermined the city's defenses and paved the way for the eventual fall of Jerusalem. This brutal engagement highlighted the Roman army's discipline and siegecraft against a fanatical home defense. The event marked a turning point in the war, foreshadowing the destruction of the Second Temple.
70 Siege of Jerusalem Titus Vespasian Fortress of Antonia Temple Mount Roman army Zealots
792day.year

Kardam of Bulgaria defeats Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI at the Battle of Marcellae.

In 792, Khan Kardam of Bulgaria defeated Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI at the Battle of Marcellae, halting Byzantine territorial ambitions in the Balkans.
In 792, the forces of the Bulgarian Khan Kardam clashed with the Byzantine army led by Emperor Constantine VI at Marcellae. The battle took place near the modern border region of Bulgaria and Greece, a key frontier zone. Khan Kardam's well-disciplined cavalry and infantry repelled Byzantine attacks, securing a decisive victory. The defeat weakened Constantine VI's position and ended Byzantine efforts to recover lost territories in the Balkans. Treaty negotiations followed, acknowledging Bulgarian autonomy and influence in the region. The battle solidified the Bulgarian Empire's status as a major power and set the stage for future conflicts. Marcellae became a symbol of Bulgarian resilience against Byzantine domination.
792 Kardam of Bulgaria Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI Battle of Marcellae
911day.year

Rollo lays siege to Chartres.

In 911, Viking leader Rollo laid siege to the Frankish city of Chartres, marking a pivotal moment in Norse incursions into western Europe.
In July 911, Rollo, a Norse warlord, besieged the Carolingian city of Chartres on the Seine River. The siege tested both Viking raiding skills and the defensive strength of Frankish fortifications. Charles the Simple negotiated to buy off the attackers while secretly strengthening the city's defenses. The siege ended inconclusively but led to the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in October 911. Under the treaty, Rollo was granted lands that became Normandy, and he pledged loyalty to the king. This event marked the beginning of the Viking settlement that shaped the future duchy of Normandy. Chartres remained an important religious and strategic center in medieval France.
911 Rollo lays siege to Chartres
1189day.year

Richard I of England officially invested as Duke of Normandy.

On July 20, 1189, Richard I of England was formally invested as Duke of Normandy, strengthening his control over this key French duchy.
In 1189, Richard the Lionheart, then Duke of Aquitaine, formally assumed the title Duke of Normandy. This investiture took place after the death of his father, Henry II, strengthening Richard's continental holdings. Normandy was a key duchy linking England to the rich lands of northern France. The ceremony underscored Richard's reputation as a warrior prince and his authority over Normandy's nobility. His rule in Normandy helped finance his later crusading efforts through taxes and feudal dues. The investiture reinforced the Angevin Empire's territorial coherence under Richard's leadership. Normandy remained under English control until the early 13th century when Philip II of France challenged it.
1189 Richard I of England Duke of Normandy
1230day.year

Treaty of San Germano is signed at San Germano between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX. A Dominican named Guala is responsible for the negotiations.

In 1230, Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX signed the Treaty of San Germano, mediated by Dominican friar Guala, to resolve their conflicts.
On July 20, 1230, Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX concluded the Treaty of San Germano at the Abbey of Monte Cassino. The treaty ended a period of excommunication and hostilities that had strained imperial-papal relations. Negotiations were led by Dominican friar Guala, acting as papal legate and mediator. Frederick II agreed to uphold church rights and submit to future ecclesiastical decisions, restoring papal favor. Gregory IX recognized Frederick's imperial authority, lifting spiritual sanctions against him. The agreement stabilized central Italian politics and secured peace between secular and religious powers. The treaty showcased the growing role of mendicant orders in high diplomacy during the Middle Ages.
1230 Treaty of San Germano San Germano
1398day.year

The Battle of Kellistown was fought on this day between the forces of the English led by Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March against the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles under the command of Art Óg mac Murchadha Caomhánach, the most powerful Chieftain in Leinster.

On July 20, 1398, English forces under Roger Mortimer clashed with Irish clans led by Art Óg mac Murchadha Caomhánach at the Battle of Kellistown.
In 1398, Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March, led English troops against Irish clans at Kellistown in Leinster. The O'Byrnes and O'Tooles, led by Art Óg mac Murchadha Caomhánach, were powerful Gaelic chieftains resisting English expansion. The clash reflected ongoing tensions between Anglo-Norman settlers and native Irish lords. English archers and infantry engaged in fierce skirmishes across the rolling countryside. Although detailed accounts are sparse, the engagement demonstrated the volatility of medieval Irish politics. The battle impacted the balance of power in southeastern Ireland, with Mortimer asserting authority. Kellistown remains a lesser-known but telling example of Anglo-Irish conflict in the Late Middle Ages.
1398 English Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March Art Óg mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1402day.year

Ottoman-Timurid Wars: Battle of Ankara: Timur, ruler of Timurid Empire, defeats forces of the Ottoman Empire sultan Bayezid I.

In 1402, Timur's Timurid forces decisively defeated Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I at the Battle of Ankara, reshaping power dynamics in Anatolia.
On July 20, 1402, Timur (Tamerlane) led his Timurid army against Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I near Ankara. The battle was one of the largest military engagements of the late medieval period. Timur's forces used superior tactics, including mobile cavalry and feigned retreats, to outmaneuver the Ottomans. Bayezid I was captured, plunging the Ottoman Empire into a civil war known as the Interregnum. The defeat halted Ottoman expansion into Asia and gave Timur a temporary hold over Anatolia. The aftermath shifted the balance of power in the Near East and influenced future Ottoman reforms. Ankara became a pivotal moment in both empires' histories, marking the rise and fall of key rulers.
1402 Battle of Ankara Timur Timurid Empire Ottoman Empire Bayezid I
1592day.year

During the first Japanese invasion of Korea, Japanese forces led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi captured Pyongyang, although they were ultimately unable to hold it.

In 1592, during the first Japanese invasion of Korea, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces captured Pyongyang but soon faced fierce counterattacks.
On July 20, 1592, Japanese armies under Toyotomi Hideyoshi seized Pyongyang during the Imjin War. The rapid advance showcased Japan's military organization and use of arquebusiers. Korean defenders, caught off guard, withdrew northward to regroup with Ming Chinese allies. The occupation of Pyongyang was short-lived due to logistical challenges and counterattacks. Ming forces soon arrived to reinforce Korean positions and retake the city. The event demonstrated the volatility of frontier warfare in East Asia during the late 16th century. Pyongyang's capture and subsequent loss underscored Hideyoshi's ambitions and the resilience of Korean-Ming cooperation.
1592 first Japanese invasion of Korea Toyotomi Hideyoshi Pyongyang
1705day.year

A fire in Oulu, Finland almost completely destroyed the fourth district, which covered the southern part of the city and was by far the largest of the city districts.

In 1705, a devastating fire in Oulu, Finland, destroyed the city's largest southern district, transforming its urban landscape.
On July 20, 1705, a massive blaze swept through the fourth district of Oulu, Finland. The fire began in the densely built southern part of the city, fueled by wooden structures. Within hours, most buildings in the district were reduced to ashes, leaving hundreds homeless. The disaster prompted civic leaders to reconsider building regulations and fire prevention measures. Rebuilding efforts introduced a more organized street plan and fire-resistant materials. Oulu's transformation after the fire laid foundations for its growth as a regional commercial center. The 1705 fire remains a key event in the city's urban and social history.
1705 Oulu Finland completely destroyed the fourth district
1715day.year

Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War: The Ottoman Empire captures Nauplia, the capital of the Republic of Venice's "Kingdom of the Morea", thereby opening the way to the swift Ottoman reconquest of the Morea.

On July 20, 1715, during the Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War, Ottoman forces captured Nauplia, triggering the reconquest of the Morea peninsula.
In 1715, the Ottoman Empire launched a campaign to retake the Morea peninsula from Venice. On July 20, Ottoman troops laid siege to and captured Nauplia, the Venetian capital in the region. The fall of Nauplia marked the collapse of Venetian defenses in the Morea. Ottoman control of the city allowed for a swift reconquest of the entire peninsula. The defeat weakened Venice's Mediterranean influence and shifted the balance of power. Ottoman administration in the Morea was reinstated, impacting local trade and governance. This victory highlighted the revival of Ottoman military capability in the early 18th century.
1715 Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War Ottoman Empire captures Nauplia Republic of Venice Kingdom of the Morea Ottoman reconquest of the Morea
1738day.year

Canadian explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye reaches the western shore of Lake Michigan.

In 1738, explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye reached the western shore of Lake Michigan. This milestone expanded the fur trade routes and knowledge of the Great Lakes region.
Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye set out from Fort Kaministiquia in search of a route to the Pacific in 1738. On July 20, he reached the lake's western shore and documented its geography and native settlements. His expedition provided vital information for French colonial ambitions and the North American fur trade. The discovery highlighted the strategic importance of the Great Lakes as transportation corridors. Varennes’s journals influenced subsequent explorers and traders in the region. This event marked a key point in the European exploration of interior North America.
1738 Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye Lake Michigan
1799day.year

Tekle Giyorgis I begins his first of six reigns as Emperor of Ethiopia.

In 1799, Tekle Giyorgis I ascended the Ethiopian throne for the first of six reigns. His turbulent rule became emblematic of the Zemene Mesafint, the Era of Princes.
Tekle Giyorgis I was crowned Emperor at the age of 27 amid rival noble factions. He reigned intermittently over more than a decade, facing constant challenges from regional warlords. His reigns were characterized by political intrigue and shifting alliances in the Zemene Mesafint (Era of the Princes). Despite frequent depositions and restorations, he maintained influence over Ethiopia’s church and state. His leadership set precedents for later emperors and reflected the fragmentation of power in early 19th-century Ethiopia. His legacy endures in Ethiopian historical narratives of imperial authority and resilience.
1799 Tekle Giyorgis I Emperor of Ethiopia