NOVEMBER 20
POLITICAL EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE
1910 — Revolution launched by Francisco Madero
On this day in 1910, Francisco Madero launched a failed revolt that nonetheless sparked the Mexican Revolution by inspiring hope in such leaders as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, who then mobilized their ragged armies.
1959 — European Free Trade Association formed
November 20, Seven European nations (Austria, Britain, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland) signed the Stockholm Convention to form the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The organization becoming operative on May 3, 1960. After the accession of Denmark, Ireland, and the UK to the EEC in January 1973, the EFTA began to falter. Portugal (1985), followed in 1995 by Austria, Finland and Sweden, left to join the EU. In 2017 Four members remained: Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
1969 – Native American activists began an occupation of Alcatraz Island
A group of 80 Native Americans, all college students, seized Alcatraz Island in the name of “Indians of All Tribes.” Protesting what they saw as the U.S. government’s ongoing economic, social, and political neglect of Native Americans. The occupation lasted 19 months; they were forced off the island in June 1971. They offered $24 in beads and cloth to buy the island, demanded an American Indian Univ., museum and cultural centre, and listed reasons why the island was a suitable Indian reservation.
HISTORICAL EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE on November 20
1917 — 1st successful tank use in battle
For the first time, tanks were used effectively in warfare at the Battle of Cambrai. In World War I, Britain used the new technology to break through German lines
1954 — World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
1962 — The Cuban Missile Crisis ended.
The Soviet Union removed its missiles and bombers from Cuba and the U.S. ended its blockade of the island.
MOVIES
2002 — “Die Another Day”
“Die Another Day”, 20th James Bond film was released, directed by Lee Tamahori, starring Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry.
SCIENTIFIC INNOVATIONS
1985 — Windows 1.01 launched by Microsoft
Microsoft’s launches its first version of a multi-tasking graphical user interface GUI for the PC ( this allowed the user to run multiple windows with multiple programmes switching between one and another. Windows 1.01 was the very first version of Windows launched. Windows 1.01 and all older versions of Windows before Windows 95 required MSDOS installed on the computer and the user would install Windows from floppy discs.
MUSIC
1805 — Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Fidelio”, his only opera, premieres in Vienna
Originally titled “Leonore, oder Der Triumph der ehelichen Liebe” (Leonore, or The Triumph of Marital Love), “Fidelio” is Ludwig van Beethoven’s only opera. The German libretto was originally prepared by Joseph Sonnleithner from the French of Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, with the work premiering at Vienna’s Theater an der Wien on 20 November 1805.
2015 — “25” 3rd studio album by Adele
“25”, 3rd studio album by Adele is released. It won Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2017 and 2016 Billboard Album of the Year.
IMPORTANT BIRTHDAYS on November 20
1942 — Joe Biden — who will be inaugurated as the 46th president on January 20, 2021.
1976 — Tusshar Kapoor — Indian actor and producer