April 20th takes us well past the middle of the month and even deeper into spring – but what other secrets and facts does today hold? You may not be celebrating today, but regardless, let’s take a look at why April 20th remains so historically important!
On this day
1A discovery Down Under!
On April 20th, 1770, Lieutenant James Cook, a British explorer, sailed his famous ship “Endeavour’” to the east coast of Australia, landing eventually at Botany Bay. He claimed possession of the land for Great Britain, leading to the eventual colonization of the continent – and the rest is history!
2Slow down there, Flash!
The first motor race wasn’t exactly much of a contest! The first recorded motor race took place in Paris in 1887 on April 20th with only one entrant, Georges Bouton! He completed the 2.5-mile course in just under 20 minutes, at a shocking – for the time – average speed of around eight mph!
3Art Nouveau made its debut.
In Paris, on April 20th, 1896, a new form of art went on show! Art Nouveau, promoted as “A new art,” firtst appeared at “Maison de l’art nouveau.” The exhibition was opened by Samuel Bing, an art connoisseur and dealer. Striking stuff!
4We remembered Freddie.
In 1992, a benefit concert was held in loving memory of Queen singer and guitarist Freddie Mercury at Wembley Stadium in London. The concert featured performances by Queen, Robert Plant, David Bowie, George Michael, Elton John, and many others. The event was organized to raise awareness and funds for AIDS research and is still considered one of the most significant concerts in rock history!
5George Floyd’s killer went to prison.
In 2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of the brutal murder of George Floyd, a black man whose death sparked massive protests across the United States and around the world. Chauvin’s trial and guilty verdict were seen as a rare instance of accountability for police officers who use excessive force against people of color. It was an epoch-making moment for movements such as Black Lives Matter, too.
Special Days Falling on April 20th
If you love giving high fives to the mirror, today might be your day! Let’s take a look at what people are celebrating today.
420 Day
420 Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated worldwide by cannabis enthusiasts! It originated with a group of high school students in California who met at 4:20 pm to smoke marijuana. The day has become a symbol of cannabis culture and is marked with events and festivals that aim to promote its legalization and decriminalization. Why 420 Day? It’s April 20th…
National Lookalike Day
Got a doppelganger or two? This special day encourages people to find their celebrity lookalikes or dress up like someone they admire. It’s likely you’ll see plenty of photos and videos shared on social media to celebrate!
National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day
Yes, seriously! If you’ve never tried the odd-sounding pineapple upside down cake for yourself before, April 20th serves up a delicious chance to give it a try. Take a look for a recipe or two online, and why not see if anyone’s added a tasty new twist through the wonders of social media?
This month in history
Anne Frank’s diary was published in April 1952. Frank’s terrifying recounting of her time as a child hiding with her Jewish family in fear of the Nazis continues to send shockwaves across the world. It’s crucial reading for anyone studying this period of history, at least, so we may never repeat its atrocities again.
Famous Birthdays on April 20th
- Napoleon lll, Emperor of France, born 1808
- Joan Miro, Spanish artist, born 1889
- George Takei, American actor, born 1937
- Jessica Lange, American actress, born 1949
- Andy Serkis, English actor, born 1964
If you were born on April 20th…
You’re known as an Aries in the Western Zodiac! That means you’re both a fire sign and a ram, and it also means that you’re deeply passionate about the people you love, and the projects you take on. You can have a bit of a fiery personality, but people still value your skills as a leader, and your willingness to tackle challenges head-on.
Take a look at our full facts on Aries to find out even more!
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