Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
June 20 Saturday, June 20, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 20 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
5
Holidays
451
War 1575 years ago
Battle of Chalons: Flavius Aetius battles Attila the Hun. After the battle, which was inconclusive, Attila retreats, causing the Romans to interpret it as a victory.
Flavius Aetius battles Attila the Hun at Chalons; though the outcome remains unclear, Attila's subsequent retreat allows Romans to claim victory.
History
What happened on June 20
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 451War
Battle of Chalons: Flavius Aetius battles Attila the Hun. After the battle, which was inconclusive, Attila retreats, causing the Romans to interpret it as a victory.
Flavius Aetius battles Attila the Hun at Chalons; though the outcome remains unclear, Attila's subsequent retreat allows Romans to claim victory.
- 1180War
First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan.
The First Battle of Uji begins, marking the start of the Genpei War between the Taira and Minamoto clans.
- 1295European history
The Treaty of Anagni, an attempt mediated by the papacy to end the War of the Sicilian Vespers, is signed by the crown of Aragon, the kingdom of France and kingdom of Naples.
The Treaty of Anagni is signed, aiming to resolve the War of the Sicilian Vespers through papal mediation between the crowns of Aragon, France, and Naples.
- 1622War
The Battle of Höchst takes place during the Thirty Years' War.
Swedish forces defeat the Holy Roman Empire in the Battle of Höchst, a significant engagement in the Thirty Years' War.
- 1685UK history
Monmouth Rebellion: James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth declares himself King of England at Bridgwater.
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, declares himself king in Bridgwater, challenging the rule of King James II.
- 1756UK history
A British garrison is imprisoned in the Black Hole of Calcutta.
More than 140 prisoners die from heat and suffocation after being locked overnight in a small room during the Siege of Calcutta.
- 1782US history
The U.S. Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States.
The U.S. Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States, featuring a bald eagle on the obverse and an unfinished pyramid with an eye above it on the reverse.
- 1819Technology
The U.S. vessel SS Savannah arrives at Liverpool, United Kingdom. It is the first steam-propelled vessel to cross the Atlantic, although most of the journey is made under sail.
The SS Savannah becomes the first steam-powered ship to cross the Atlantic, though it sails primarily under canvas.
- 1863US history
American Civil War: West Virginia is admitted as the 35th U.S. state.
West Virginia becomes the 35th U.S. state during the American Civil War.
- 1943US history
The Detroit race riot breaks out and continues for three more days.
Racial tensions erupt into riots in Detroit, resulting in 34 deaths and over 600 injuries during three days of violence.
- 1996Science
Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-78 to conduct life science and microgravity research aboard the Spacelab module.
The Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off with the Spacelab module for biological and microgravity experiments.
- 2025Disaster
The first EF5 tornado in 12 years occurs in Enderlin, North Dakota.
An EF5 tornado strikes Enderlin, North Dakota, causing widespread destruction and marking the first such severe tornado in 12 years.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 20
7 this date All birthdays
Alexander Winton
Scottish-American race car driver and engineer
Alexander Winton, the Scottish-American engineer and race car driver who founded the Winton Motor Carriage Company in 1897 and helped establish Cleveland as an early automotive manufacturing hub, was born today in 1860.
Born
1860
Died
1932
Wilfrid Pelletier
Canadian pianist, composer, and conductor
1896 – 1982
Josephine Johnson
American author and poet
1910 – 1990
Robert Crais
American author and screenwriter
b. 1953 · 73
John Taylor
English bass player and actor
b. 1960 · 66
Kirk Baptiste
American sprinter
b. 1963 · 63
Quinton Jackson
American mixed martial artist and actor
b. 1978 · 48
Music
The number one songs on June 20
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 20, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport June 20, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 20, 1944
The experimental MW 18014 V-2 rocket reaches an altitude of 176 km, becoming the first man-made object to reach outer space.
The MW 18014 V-2 rocket becomes the first man-made object to reach outer space, achieving an altitude of 176 km.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Day of the National Flag (Argentina)
International
Flag Day is the holiday dedicated to the Argentine flag and to the commemoration of its creator, Manuel Belgrano
Gas Sector Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Martyrs' Day (Eritrea)
International
There are approximately sixteen nationally recognized public holidays in Eritrea
West Virginia Day (West Virginia)
International
West Virginia Day is a state holiday in the US state of West Virginia
World Refugee Day (International)
International
World Refugee Day is an international day organised every year on 20 June by the United Nations