The Senate Approves the Louisiana Purchase
On October 20, 1803, the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase, in which France sold a vast territory for about 15 million dollars.
Allied Fleet Destroys Ottoman Navy at Navarino
The Battle of Navarino on October 20, 1827 destroyed the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet and secured Greek independence. It was the last major naval battle under sail.
HUAC Opens Hollywood Hearings
HUAC began hearings on Communist influence in Hollywood on October 20, 1947. The investigation led to a blacklist that ended careers for years.
War Breaks Out on the China-India Border
On October 20, 1962, fighting began along the China-India border in the Himalayas, opening a war that lasted about a month.
Jacqueline Kennedy Marries Aristotle Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis on October 20, 1968, on his private Greek island. The wedding drew worldwide attention.
He Went Over Backwards
Dick Fosbury won Olympic high jump gold on October 20, 1968, going over the bar backwards in the style now named after him.
Sydney Opera House Opens
The Sydney Opera House opened on October 20, 1973, fourteen years after construction began. Queen Elizabeth II performed the opening ceremony.
Muammar Gaddafi Is Killed
Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed in Sirte on October 20, 2011, ending his 42-year rule of Libya. His death left the country in chaos.