1852day.year
Steamboat Atlantic sank on Lake Erie after a collision, with the loss of at least 150 lives.
The steamboat Atlantic sank on Lake Erie in 1852 after a collision, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 150 lives.
On August 20, 1852, the steamboat Atlantic collided with another vessel on Lake Erie during dense fog.
The impact breached the hull, causing rapid flooding of the passenger decks.
Panic ensued as passengers and crew struggled to lower lifeboats and secure flotation devices.
At least 150 people drowned in one of the deadliest maritime accidents on the Great Lakes.
Survivors recounted chaotic scenes and courageous rescues by nearby vessels.
The disaster prompted calls for stricter safety regulations and improved navigation aids on inland waters.
It remains a somber reminder of the dangers faced by early steam-powered travel.
1852
Atlantic
1910day.year
Extreme fire weather in the Inland Northwest of the United States causes many small wildfires to coalesce into the Great Fire of 1910, burning approximately 3 million acres (12,000 km) and killing 87 people.
Extreme fire weather in the Inland Northwest of the United States caused hundreds of wildfires to merge into the Great Fire of 1910, consuming about three million acres and killing 87 people.
On August 20, 1910, a period of hot, dry, and windy weather in the Inland Northwest triggered hundreds of small wildfires to coalesce into the Great Fire of 1910. The conflagration swept through northern Idaho and western Montana, burning an estimated three million acres. Despite efforts by local firefighters and federal personnel, blazes moved rapidly and overwhelmed underprepared crews. The disaster claimed the lives of at least 87 people, many of them Forest Service firefighters. In its aftermath, public outcry led to significant expansion and reform of the United States Forest Service and federal wildfire suppression policies. The event remains one of the largest non-volcanic wildfires in U.S. history.
1910
fire weather
Inland Northwest
Great Fire of 1910
1975day.year
ČSA Flight 540 crashes on approach to Damascus International Airport in Damascus, Syria, killing 126 people.
Czechoslovak Airlines Flight 540 crashes on approach to Damascus, killing 126 people in one of Syria’s worst air disasters.
On August 20, 1975, ČSA Flight 540, a Ilyushin Il-62, crashed while attempting to land at Damascus International Airport.
Poor weather conditions and possible pilot error contributed to the aircraft colliding with terrain near the runway.
The tragedy claimed 126 of the 128 passengers and crew onboard, making it Syria’s deadliest aviation accident at the time.
Rescue operations were hindered by the remote crash site and language barriers among rescuers.
The disaster prompted improvements in international flight safety standards and approach procedures.
ČSA Flight 540
Damascus International Airport
Damascus
Syria
1988day.year
"Black Saturday" of the Yellowstone fire in Yellowstone National Park
Black Saturday marks the peak of the devastating 1988 wildfires in Yellowstone National Park, with intense blazes consuming hundreds of thousands of acres.
On August 20, 1988, Yellowstone National Park experienced its most severe day of wildfire activity during a season of unprecedented fires. Dry conditions, high temperatures, and strong winds combined to create massive, fast-moving flames. Firefighters battled the inferno, which threatened historic landmarks, wildlife habitats, and park infrastructure. Despite containment efforts, more than 793,000 acres burned across the park by the season's end. Black Saturday became a pivotal moment in U.S. forest management, prompting new policies on fire suppression and ecosystem restoration. The event reshaped how land managers balance natural fire ecology with public safety.
1988
Yellowstone fire
Yellowstone National Park
1989day.year
The pleasure boat Marchioness sinks on the River Thames following a collision. Fifty-one people are killed.
The pleasure boat Marchioness collides with a dredger on the River Thames, sinking and resulting in 51 fatalities.
On August 20, 1989, the passenger vessel Marchioness was struck by the dredger Bowbelle near Southwark Bridge on the River Thames in London. The collision caused the smaller, unescorted Marchioness to capsize and sink rapidly. Despite rescue efforts by nearby boats and emergency services, 51 passengers and crew lost their lives, making it one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters on the Thames. Investigations highlighted failures in navigation protocols, lifejacket provisions, and emergency response coordination. The tragedy led to major reforms in river safety regulations and vessel traffic control. Memorials and annual commemorations continue to honor those who perished.
1989
Marchioness sinks
River Thames
1995day.year
The Firozabad rail disaster kills 358 people in Firozabad, India.
A catastrophic train collision and derailment near Firozabad, India, results in 358 deaths, marking one of the country's worst rail disasters.
On August 20, 1995, two passenger trains collided and derailed near Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, India, after a communication error led to a signal failure. The packed trains overturned, crushing coaches and trapping passengers under debris. Emergency services and local volunteers worked through the night to rescue survivors and recover bodies. With 358 confirmed fatalities and hundreds injured, the disaster spurred a nationwide review of railway safety protocols. Investigations highlighted the need for improved signaling systems, better track maintenance, and stricter operational procedures. The tragedy prompted reforms aimed at modernizing India’s rail infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
1995
Firozabad rail disaster
Firozabad
India
2007day.year
China Airlines Flight 120 catches fire and explodes after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa, Japan.
On August 20, 2007, China Airlines Flight 120 caught fire and exploded after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa.
On August 20, 2007, China Airlines Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800, landed at Naha Airport in Okinawa after flying from Taipei.
Moments later, ground crew noticed smoke near the rear of the aircraft.
Fire erupted beneath the tail and spread rapidly, engulfing the fuselage.
The plane exploded shortly after emergency responders arrived on the scene.
All passengers and crew evacuated safely; there were no fatalities.
Investigators found that a loose panel fastener during landing had punctured a fuel tank.
The incident led to enhanced inspection protocols for Boeing 737-800 aircraft worldwide.
2007
China Airlines Flight 120
Naha Airport
Okinawa
2008day.year
Spanair Flight 5022, from Madrid, Spain to Gran Canaria, skids off the runway and crashes at Barajas Airport. Of the 172 people on board, 146 die immediately, and eight more later die of injuries sustained in the crash.
In 2008, Spanair Flight 5022 crashed after skidding off Madrid’s Barajas Airport runway, killing 154 of the 172 people on board.
On August 20, 2008, Spanair Flight 5022, bound for Gran Canaria, aborted takeoff and veered off the runway at Madrid–Barajas Airport.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft suffered an engine failure after takeoff clearance.
Panic ensued as the plane slid onto soft ground and caught fire.
Of the 172 passengers and crew, 146 perished instantly and eight more died later from injuries.
Rescue efforts were hampered by intense flames and heavy smoke.
Investigators cited mechanical faults and procedural lapses in takeoff checks as contributing factors.
The crash remains one of Spain's deadliest aviation disasters.
2008
Spanair Flight 5022
Madrid
Gran Canaria
Barajas Airport
2011day.year
First Air Flight 6560 was a scheduled domestic flight connecting Yellowknife Airport, Canada and Resolute Bay, Canada. The Boeing 737-210C crashed into terrain 1 mile from the runway, catching fire. Of the 15 people on board, 12 perished while 3 survived with severe injuries.
First Air Flight 6560 crashed near Resolute Bay in Canada on August 20, 2011, killing 12 out of 15 people on board.
On August 20, 2011, First Air Flight 6560, a Boeing 737-210C, departed Yellowknife for Resolute Bay in Canada's Arctic.
In poor weather conditions, the aircraft deviated from its approach path and struck terrain one mile from the runway.
The plane burst into flames upon impact, scattering debris across the tundra.
Twelve passengers and crew lost their lives, while three survivors sustained serious injuries.
Local search and rescue teams reached the crash site under challenging conditions.
Investigators pointed to navigational errors and inadequate weather information as key factors.
The tragedy prompted airlines operating in the Arctic to improve safety protocols and crew training.
2011
First Air Flight 6560
Yellowknife Airport
Canada
Resolute Bay
Boeing 737-210C
2014day.year
Seventy-two people are killed in Japan's Hiroshima Prefecture by a series of landslides caused by a month's worth of rain that fell in one day.
On August 20, 2014, heavy rains triggered landslides in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, killing 72 people.
In the early hours of August 20, 2014, a month's worth of rain fell within a single day across Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
The intense downpour caused multiple landslides and mudslides in mountainous areas.
Entire neighborhoods were swept away beneath massive torrents of mud and debris.
Rescue efforts involved airlifts, boats, and ground search teams working against the clock.
Seventy-two people were confirmed dead, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Japanese history.
Authorities criticized insufficient land-use planning and called for better early warning systems.
The disaster highlighted the growing risks of extreme weather events due to climate change.
2014
Hiroshima Prefecture
landslides