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April 20 in History: Columbine Shooting, Deepwater Horizon Disaster, and Nutella Introduced

Scott Winters April 20, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on April 20 in history, along with notable events that shaped tragedy, innovation, and everyday life.

What Happened on April 20 in History?

From a devastating school shooting to one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history and the debut of a global favorite spread, April 20 reflects moments that left lasting impacts in very different ways.

APRIL 20 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1775 – American troops began the siege of British-held Boston, MA.

1832 – Hot Springs National Park, in Hot Springs, AR, was established by an act of Congress. It was the first National Park in the U.S.

1836 – The U.S. territory of Wisconsin was created by Congress.

1837 – Erastus B. Bigelow was granted a patent for his power loom.

1841 – In Philadelphia, PA, Edgar Allen Poe’s first detective story, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, was published in Graham’s Magazine.

1861 – Robert E. Lee resigned from U.S. Army.

1865 – Safety matches were first advertised.

1879 – First mobile home (horse drawn) was used in a journey from London to Cyprus.

1896 – At the Koster and Bials Music Hall in New York, NY, the first movie was shown. Until this time, people watched films by looking into a kinetoscope. This was the first time that an audience sat in a theater and saw a film together.

1902 – Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolated the radioactive element radium.

1909 – The first mile of concrete highway as poured at Woodward Avenue between 6 & 7 Mile roads in Detroit, MI.

1912 – At the corner of Michigan and Trumbull in Detroit it was opening day for the Detroit Tigers. The field was originally called Navin Field but was renamed Briggs Stadium in 1938. In 1961 it was renamed Tiger Stadium in Detroit, MI.

1916 – In Chicago, IL, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Weeghman Park (now Wrigley Field), defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings.

1926 – Western Electric and Warner Brothers announced Vitaphone, a process to add sound to film.

1940 – The First electron microscope was demonstrated by RCA.

1951 – Don Gavriliu performed the first surgical replacement of a human organ.

1959 – “Desilu Playhouse” on CBS-TV presented a two-part show titled “The Untouchables.”

1961 – FM stereo broadcasting was approved by the FCC.

1964 – The first jar of Nutella left the factory in Alba, Italy. We eat about 350,000 tons of this stuff a year.

1965 – The movie “The Pawnbroker”, starring Rod Steiger, opened and broke an American mainstream movie taboo by baring female breasts for the first time.

1971 – The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that busing of students may be ordered to achieve racial desegregation

1972 – The crewed lunar module, commanded by John Young, from Apollo 16 landed on the Moon.

1977 – Woody Allen’s film “Annie Hall” premiered.

1982 – The Activision game “Pitfall!” was released for the Atari 2600 game system.

1988 – The U.S. Air Forces’ Stealth (B-2 bomber) was officially unveiled.

1989 – Scientist announced the successful testing of high-definition TV.

1990 – Janet Jackson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1995 – The Frederik Meijer Gardens opened in Grand Rapids, MI.

1999 – Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shoot and kill 12 classmates and a teacher, and injured 24 others, before killing themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO.

1999 – Jane Seymour received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2007 – William Phillips barricaded himself in NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. He shot and killed a male hostage with a handgun before killing himself.

2008 – Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300 becoming the first female driver in history to win an Indy car race.

2010 – The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing eleven workers and beginning an oil spill that lasted six months.

2020 – President Donald Trump announced that he was suspending immigration to the U.S. due to COVID-19.

2021 – Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges in the murder of George Floyd by the Fourth Judicial District Court of Minnesota.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON APRIL 20:

Pat Roberts – 90 years old (1936) – Captain, journalist, and politician

George Takei – 89 years old (1937) – Actor

Peter S. Beagle – 87 years old (1939) – Author and screenwriter

Michael Brandon – 81 years old (1945) – Actor and director

Steve Spurrier – 81 years old (1945) – Football player and coach

Veronica Cartwright – 77 years old (1949) – English-American actress

Jessica Lange – 77 years old (1949) – Actress

Donald Pettit – 71 years old (1955) – Engineer and astronaut

Don Mattingly – 65 years old (1961) – Baseball player, coach, and manager

John Carney – 62 years old (1964) – Football player

Crispin Glover – 62 years old (1964) – Actor and filmmaker

Rosalynn Sumners – 62 years old (1964) – Figure skater

David Filo – 60 years old (1966) – Businessman, co-founded Yahoo!

Lara Jill Miller – 59 years old (1967) – Actress

Mike Portnoy – 59 years old (1967) – Drummer and songwriter

Shemar Moore – 56 years old (1970) – Actor

Allan Houston – 55 years old (1971) – Basketball player

Carmen Electra – 54 years old (1972) – Model and actress

Stephen Marley – 54 years old (1972) – Jamaican-American musician

Randy Fine – 52 years old (1974) – Politician and former gambling industry executive

Killer Mike – 51 years old (1975) – Rapper

Brandon Belt – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball player

Kyle Higashioka – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player

Luke Kuechly – 35 years old (1991) – Football player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR APRIL 20:

National Cheddar Fries Day: Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, whether dipped in ketchup or smothered in cheese sauce, these fries are a satisfying snack.
National Death Doula Day: A death doula walks beside someone in their final chapter. They aren’t doctors or nurses. They don’t give medicine. Instead, they offer presence, comfort, and calm. They sit quietly or talk gently. Sometimes they hold a hand. Sometimes they help someone write a letter or choose music for their last...
Pizza Delivery Driver Appreciation Day: Speedy deliverers of deliciousness bringing joy to hungry hearts, swiftly transporting piping-hot slices of happiness right to your doorstep.
International Cli-Fi Day: International Cli‑Fi Day celebrates stories where climate change isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of people’s lives. These stories dive into how rising seas, shifting seasons, or failing crops affect families, friendships, and futures. Readers step into shoes they may never have tried on before. One page might follow a young girl...
Volunteer Recognition Day: The easiest way to honor volunteers on Volunteer Recognition Day is to volunteer yourself; don’t have time? Make sure to thank a volunteer, and donate to their cause.
National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day: With its juicy, tangy sweetness and caramelized top, this classic dessert is perfect for any special occasion or a simple indulgence.
Chinese Language Day: Fire up Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, or sign up for a language class to learn the world’s second most widely spoken language, which dates back as far as 1250 BCE.
National Look-Alike Day: Mimicking faces, these individuals possess an uncanny resemblance that sparks curiosity and prompts second glances in crowds.
National Lima Bean Respect Day: With a tendency to be overlooked and under-respected, National Lima Bean Respect Day is here to pay honor to this quiet little bean that packs a powerful punch! Why Celebrate National Lima Bean Respect Day? Any day that brings healthy food to the forefront is certainly worth celebrating! And National Lima Bean...
National Pediatric Transplant Week: Each year, thousands of children across the world benefit from the life-saving medical intervention that comes through organ donation. But the list of those in need of organ donors is long and these younger patients often have to wait for a great deal of time for matches because of complex...
Money Smart Week: Being smart with money isn't just about saving; it's also about making informed decisions and enjoying the process. Money Smart Week offers the perfect opportunity to dive into financial literacy and reconsider financial habits. In its essence, Money Smart Week is a lively event held annually to boost financial literacy...
Coin Week: Begin or grow your coin collection, learn about how countries’ mints reflect their history, or join a coin club or even local competition during Coin Week.
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
Lesbian Visibility Week: To build awareness, create safe and healthy work environments, ‘normalize’ relationships, and allow lesbian voices to be heard, Lesbian Visibility Week provides various opportunities to build a society of inclusion. This event works to promote LGBTQIA women along with non-binary people in every field, from every generation, to every country...
National Princess Week: When you think of a princess, images of elegance, courage, and kindness come to mind. National Princess Week celebrates these traits, inviting everyone to embrace their inner royalty. This special week, started by Julie Andrews, Disney, and Target, is a chance to enjoy the magic and charm associated with princesses...
Cleaning for a Reason Week: Cleaning for a Reason Week is a special time when cleaning companies, donors, and communities come together to support people going through cancer treatment. During this week, the goal is to bring in more cleaning partners, raise money, and help more households with free cleaning services. Volunteers and professional cleaners pitch...
Feet Week: Happy feet make a happy person. Proper foot care involves regular washing, trimming nails, wearing comfortable shoes, and keeping them dry. Treat your feet well and they will take you places!
National Volunteer Week: Contributing time and effort, volunteering fosters positive change, enriching lives, and creating a ripple of goodwill in communities.
Administrative Professionals Week: In offices around the globe, desks become stages of gratitude during Administrative Professionals Week. Teams come together, celebrating those who keep the gears turning. Imagine the scene: colorful bouquets and heartfelt notes replace reports and spreadsheets. Managers pause meetings to say "thank you," acknowledging the often unseen dedication of their...
National Park Week: Say hello to beautiful plants, native wildlife, natural landscapes, and unique terrains because it’s time to celebrate and enjoy National Park Week! History of National Park Week The first National Park Week was celebrated in 1991 when it was declared by US President George H.W. Bush to honor the 75th anniversary...
Every Kid Healthy Week: Nurturing vibrant habits, fostering active play, and embracing wholesome choices, helping children discover the joy of balanced living.
Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week: Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week is observed annually to shed light on the undeniable connection between abusing animals and harming humans. This observance week creates awareness of the need to understand the intersectional nature of these issues and for societal change to end the cruelty. It also promotes education...
Global Days of Action on Military Spending: The Global Days of Action on Military Spending is a lively global campaign that invites people everywhere to rethink how public funds are used. It urges governments to shift resources from arms to real security, like health, education, and clean energy. When new military spending data arrives, advocates use the moment...
National Sky Awareness Week: Humans go through life each day looking at the buildings, cars, computer screens, and other people around them, but it seems like a rare event that they will spend time being aware of the sky. National Sky Awareness Week seeks to remind people of all ages that there is something interesting...
National Work Zone Awareness Week: Warmer weather in the spring is a sign of beautiful things like green grass, lovely flowers and – road construction?! Okay. So, maybe road construction isn’t everyone’s favorite thing. But it is an important job that keeps the highways and roads up to date so everyone can get where they need...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Health Information Professionals Week: Health Information Professionals Week is a celebration that honors the vital role of health information professionals in healthcare. These professionals ensure that patient data is accurate, secure, and accessible, supporting quality care and efficient healthcare operations. They work behind the scenes, managing patient records and data systems, which are crucial for...