Birthday of Crown Prince Haakon Magnus(Norway)
Annual celebration of the heir to the Norwegian throne marked by ceremonial salutes and public acknowledgement in Oslo.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus was born on July 20, 1973, and his birthday is observed each year with a 21-gun salute at Akershus Fortress. Norwegians gather to watch the royal family on the palace balcony and enjoy traditional festivities. Although not a public holiday, this event opens the gates of the Royal Palace grounds to visitors. It offers insight into Norway’s monarchical traditions and national pride. The day strengthens ties between the monarchy and the public through shared cultural heritage.
Birthday of Crown Prince Haakon Magnus
Norway
Christianfeast day:
Ansegisus, Apollinaris of Ravenna, Aurelius, Ealhswith (or Elswith), Elijah, Elizabeth Cady Stanton,Amelia Bloomer,Sojourner Truth, andHarriet Ross Tubman(Episcopal Church (USA)), Giuseppe Beotti, John Baptist Yi(one of TheKorean Martyrs), Margaret the Virgin, Thorlac(relic translation), Wilgefortis, July 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Commemoration of multiple saints and notable Christian figures across various traditions.
July 20th is dedicated to a diverse group of Christian saints and historical figures in both Western and Eastern liturgies. Key figures include Apollinaris of Ravenna, honored as the first bishop and martyr, and Ansegisus, remembered for his monastic reforms. The Episcopal Church in the USA commemorates pioneering women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman. Eastern Orthodox traditions observe the translation of Saint Thorlac’s relics among other martyrs. This feast day highlights the richness of Christian hagiography and the enduring legacies of these spiritual leaders.
feast day
Ansegisus
Apollinaris of Ravenna
Aurelius
Ealhswith (or Elswith)
Elijah
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Amelia Bloomer
Sojourner Truth
Harriet Ross Tubman
Episcopal Church (USA)
Giuseppe Beotti
John Baptist Yi
Korean Martyrs
Margaret the Virgin
Thorlac
relic translation
Wilgefortis
July 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Día del Amigo(Argentina,Brazil)
Friendship Day celebrated in Argentina and Brazil to honor and strengthen bonds between friends.
In Argentina and Brazil, July 20th is observed as Día del Amigo, a day devoted to celebrating friendship. The tradition began in Buenos Aires in 1969, inspired by global unity following the Apollo 11 moon landing. On this day, friends exchange gifts, cards, and heartfelt messages, and often gather for shared meals or outings. Social media platforms fill with good wishes and nostalgic memories as people recognize the importance of companionship. The festive atmosphere underscores solidarity, support, and joy within communities.
Día del Amigo
Argentina
Brazil
Engineer's Day(Costa Rica)
Engineer's Day in Costa Rica honors the founding of the national engineering and architecture body and the profession's impact.
Celebrated on July 20th, Engineer’s Day in Costa Rica commemorates the establishment of the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos (CFIA) in 1951. The day highlights the vital contributions of engineers to infrastructure, technology, and national development. Universities and professional associations host conferences, seminars, and award ceremonies to showcase innovative projects and research. Public lectures emphasize engineering solutions for social challenges such as sustainable energy and urban planning. This observance inspires young people to pursue engineering careers and honors the profession’s role in societal progress.
Engineer's Day
Costa Rica
Independence Day, celebrates the independence declaration ofColombiafrom Spain in 1810.
Colombia’s national holiday commemorating the 1810 declaration of independence from Spain.
On July 20, Colombia celebrates the uprising in Bogotá that ignited its journey to independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1810. The day features military parades, civic ceremonies, and cultural festivals across the country. Colombians proudly display the national flag and participate in patriotic events honoring the heroes of the independence movement. Schools and public institutions organize historical reenactments, speeches, and exhibitions. Traditional music and dance, such as cumbia and bambuco, enliven community gatherings. The holiday fosters national unity, pride, and reflection on Colombia’s rich history and diverse heritage.
Independence Day
Colombia
International Chess Day
Global celebration of chess, highlighting its cultural and educational impact.
Established by UNESCO and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on July 20, International Chess Day marks the founding of FIDE in 1924. Enthusiasts worldwide participate in tournaments, simultaneous exhibitions, and online matches to showcase chess’s strategic depth. Educational institutions often hold chess workshops to foster critical thinking, concentration, and problem-solving skills among students. Chess clubs and federations organize events featuring grandmasters who play multiple opponents simultaneously. The day underscores chess as a universal language that bridges cultures, ages, and backgrounds through intellectual exchange and friendly competition.
International Chess Day
Lempira Day(Honduras)
Honduran holiday honoring Chief Lempira, the Lenca leader who resisted Spanish conquest.
Every July 20th, Honduras pays tribute to Lempira, a 16th-century leader of the Lenca people who valiantly opposed Spanish forces. The day includes wreath-laying ceremonies at his monument, parades, and cultural events that celebrate indigenous heritage. Schools hold special lessons and presentations about Lenca traditions and the struggle for sovereignty. Public speeches highlight Lempira’s legacy of courage and unity. This observance strengthens national identity and recognizes the enduring influence of Honduras’s indigenous communities.
Lempira Day
Honduras
Ansegisus
Feast day of Saint Ansegisus, a Frankish abbot known for monastic reform.
Saint Ansegisus served as abbot of the Abbey of Fontenelle in the 9th century, playing a pivotal role in the Carolingian monastic revival. He authored important statutes that standardized monastic discipline and spiritual practice across Frankish monasteries. His feast day on July 20 is observed in Western liturgical calendars with special prayers and readings from his writings. Celebrations often include reflection on the value of community life and scholarly devotion. Ansegisus’s legacy endures in the foundations he helped lay for later monastic orders.
Ansegisus
Apollinaris of Ravenna
Feast day of Saint Apollinaris, first bishop of Ravenna and early Christian martyr.
Saint Apollinaris was appointed the first bishop of Ravenna in the 1st century and is celebrated for his evangelistic work and martyrdom. Tradition holds that he converted many to Christianity before suffering persecution for his faith. His relics are enshrined in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, near Ravenna, Italy. On July 20, liturgical services honor his steadfast witness with hymns and readings. Apollinaris’s story exemplifies the early church’s resilience under Roman oppression and the spread of Christianity across the Italian peninsula.
Apollinaris of Ravenna
Aurelius
Feast day of Saint Aurelius, a Christian martyr commemorated for his steadfast faith.
Saint Aurelius is venerated as an early Christian martyr whose life and testimony inspired believers during periods of Roman persecution. While details of his martyrdom vary among sources, he is remembered for unwavering devotion and courage. Celebrations on July 20 include special liturgical readings and prayers invoking his intercession. Aurelius’s example highlights the theme of faith overcoming adversity, resonating in Christian communities that honor his memory. His feast fosters reflection on the sacrifices made by early followers of the faith.
Aurelius
Ealhswith (or Elswith)
Commemorates St. Ealhswith, queen consort of Wessex and revered Christian figure.
St. Ealhswith (d. c. 902) was the noble wife of King Alfred the Great, renowned for her piety and charitable works. She founded religious communities and supported the spread of Christianity throughout Wessex and beyond. Her dedication to the poor and devotion to prayer became hallmarks of her legacy. Celebrated on July 20, her feast honors the queen consort's spiritual leadership and monastic foundations. Venerated in Christian tradition, she remains a symbol of royal holiness and service.
Ealhswith (or Elswith)
Elijah
Honors the prophet Elijah, a central figure of the Hebrew Bible renowned for his zeal and miracles.
Prophet Elijah, one of Israel’s most influential prophetic figures, is remembered for his fearless defense of monotheism and his dramatic miracles. Confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he displayed divine power in calling down fire from heaven. His life culminated in a miraculous ascent into the heavens in a chariot of fire, a symbol of divine favor. Commemorated on July 20 in Eastern Orthodox and other Christian traditions, his feast celebrates unwavering faith and courage. His example inspires believers to stand boldly for truth even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Elijah