31 fun facts for March, 20

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
March 20th holds a variety of noteworthy events and celebrations, including the International Day of Happiness, World Sparrow Day, and the anniversary of the release of Harriet Beecher Stowe's influential novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The date is also significant for milestones in space exploration, political history, and cultural moments, such as the first pedestrian death caused by an autonomous vehicle, and the establishment of the Republican Party in the United States.
31 Fun facts
  1. March 20th is the International Day of Happiness, which recognizes the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human goal. The United Nations established it in 2012 to inspire, mobilize, and advance the global happiness movement.
  2. March 20th is also World Sparrow Day, a global initiative to raise awareness of the sparrow and other common birds in urban environments. The day aims to promote their conservation through various events and activities.
  3. On March 20, 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was published. It became influential in the United States for its depiction of African American slaves, and it played a major role in the abolitionist movement and the eventual end of slavery.
  4. On March 20, 1969, musician John Lennon of The Beatles married artist and activist Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. Their relationship and subsequent marriage were a significant inspiration for many of Lennon's solo works and peace activism.
  5. In 1990 on March 20th, Namibia gained independence from South Africa. The country's first democratic elections took place, with Sam Nujoma becoming the first President of the Republic of Namibia.
  6. On March 20, 1995, the Tokyo subway sarin attack occurred. Members of the religious cult Aum Shinrikyo released the deadly nerve gas sarin on several trains, killing 13 commuters and injuring thousands of others.
  7. British magician and TV personality Paul Daniels passed away on March 20, 2016. He was best known for his BBC television series "The Paul Daniels Magic Show," which ran from 1979 to 1994.
  8. On this day in 1942, the first V-2 rocket test took place. This marked an important step in the development of the long-range, guided ballistic missile used by Germany during World War II.
  9. March 20th, 1916, marked the birth of Pamela Churchill Harriman, an influential political figure known for her role as a diplomat and contributor to the Democratic Party. She later became Ambassador to France under U.S. President Bill Clinton.
  10. Fred Rogers, the beloved creator and host of the children's television program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," was born on March 20, 1928.
  11. On March 20, 1974, a failed kidnapping attempt took place against Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. The kidnapper, Ian Ball, was subdued by police and bystanders before any harm was done to the princess.
  12. U.S. President Jimmy Carter sent a message to the U.S. Senate on March 20, 1979, announcing the decision to end the elaborate neutron bomb program. This was aimed to mitigate the potential use of nuclear weapons in warfare.
  13. March 20th is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the United States. This observance focuses on the impact of HIV and AIDS on indigenous communities and encourages testing and prevention efforts.
  14. On March 20, 1922, the USS Langley (CV-1) was commissioned, becoming the U.S. Navy's first aircraft carrier. The Langley played a significant role in the development of naval aviation.
  15. In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte arrived in Paris on March 20th, after escaping his banishment on the island of Elba. This event marked the beginning of the "Hundred Days," Napoleon's final attempt to regain power in France.
  16. Swedish professional golfer Annika Sörenstam, one of the most successful female golfers in history, was born on March 20, 1970.
  17. On March 20, 1964, the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) was established, which later became the European Space Agency (ESA). The organization was founded as a joint venture between European countries to collaborate on space exploration and research.
  18. In 2003, the invasion of Iraq by the United States and coalition forces began on March 20th. The military operation aimed to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power and implement democracy in the region.
  19. American playwright Lillian Hellman's play "The Little Foxes" premiered in New York City on March 20, 1939. The play focuses on the themes of greed and betrayal within a wealthy Southern family.
  20. On March 20, 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko embarked on a one-year mission to the International Space Station. The mission aimed to study the effects of long-duration spaceflights on humans.
  21. On March 20, 2019, the European Union agreed to delay the United Kingdom's departure from the EU, a process known as Brexit. The decision moved the original deadline and provided additional time to negotiate the terms of the UK's departure.
  22. In 1854, the Republican Party of the United States was founded on March 20th. The party was established to oppose the expansion of slavery into new territories and played a key role in American politics.
  23. Canadian professional ice hockey player Bobby Orr scored his 100th career point on March 20, 1969. Orr was the first defenseman in the National Hockey League to achieve the milestone.
  24. March 20th is a public holiday known as the "Day of the Sea" in Bolivia. The day commemorates the country's loss of access to the Pacific Ocean following the War of the Pacific in 1884.
  25. On March 20, 1987, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of AZT (zidovudine), the first drug approved for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
  26. On this day in 1899, Martha M. Place became the first woman to be executed via the electric chair. She was sentenced to death for the murder of her stepdaughter in the state of New York.
  27. In 2018, March 20th saw the first pedestrian death caused by an autonomous vehicle. The accident occurred in Tempe, Arizona, when a self-driving car operated by Uber struck a woman walking across the street.
  28. On March 20, 1948, the "Checker Club" opened in New York City. Often called the first rock and roll club, it hosted performances by prominent rock musicians such as Chuck Berry and Bill Haley.
  29. On March 20, 2012, the novel "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins made its film debut. The movie was the first in the series and starred Jennifer Lawrence as the lead character, Katniss Everdeen.
  30. In 1985, Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 20. The Iditarod is a grueling, 1,100-mile race across Alaska and is considered the world's most challenging sled dog race.
  31. In 1996, the Dunblane Massacre took place on March 20th. Located in Scotland, a man entered a primary school and shot 16 children and their teacher before turning the gun on himself.

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