What happened on May 20?

Author

Matthew Jones
May 20, 2024

Happy Monday!

May 20 marks yet another important day, especially when it comes to laws passed in the United States.

Check out everything that happened:

⚔️1774: The Coercive Acts Anger American Colonists

Today marks the day that King George III endorsed the Coercive Acts in response to the Boston Tea Party, turning them into law. This set of four laws were a response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed the Port of Boston, put the government of Massachusetts into the hands of Crown appointees, gave the Crown the right to move trials to other colonies, and also required the citizens of Massachusetts to house British Royal troops, also known as the Quartering Act. 

These “Intolerable Acts,” as the colonists called, severely curtailed the freedoms colonists had enjoyed and became a major rallying point for the independence movement. Explore how this event fits into the entire timeline of American Independence.

A political drawing released after the passage of the Coercive Acts speaks to colonial sentiment at the time. In this image, America is the woman being held down and forced to drink tea. It was to symbolize how frustrated American colonists had become with the heavy handed British rule they felt limited their freedoms. Within two years of this image being released, the American colonies would declare independence and begin fighting for it.

🌄1862: Passing the Homestead Act Reshapes the American West

In the midst of the Civil War, the US government passed the Homestead Act, which would grant adult heads of household 160 acres of land in the American west in exchange for a small filing fee and an agreement to stay on the land for at least five years. It was passed as an effort to stimulate the settlement of the American West and had been an important issue since the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 

However, Southern politicians sought to secure this western land to expand slaveholding properties and prevented its passing throughout the 19th century. During the Civil War, Congress could pass the Homestead Act without Southern representation, which had formed its own government and was fighting for independence. In the years following, people taking advantage of this incentive to move West helped the United States grow into the continental nation it is today.

🤝1882: Birth of the Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy secretly formed the Triple Alliance. This military agreement included a promise that if any of the three nations were to be attacked, the others would come to their defense. Its counterpart, the Triple Entente, which was formed between England, France, and Russia, helped set the stage for WW1. Explore more in What Caused World War 1? Political, Imperialistic, and Nationalistic Factors.

🎉1902: Cuba’s Leap to Independence

Today also commemorates Cuba gaining its independence from the United States, a significant milestone in Cuba’s long and complex history of colonial struggle.

🚀1940: A Breakthrough in the Battle of France

German forces made a crucial breakthrough reaching the English Channel at Abbeville, France, marking a turning point in the Battle of France during World War II.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1850: Honoré de Balzac, French Novelist and Playwright 

A master of literary realism, Balzac's keen observation of detail and unfiltered representation of society makes him a pillar of French literature.

1851: Emil Berliner, Inventor

Berliner revolutionized audio technology with his invention of the gramophone, forever changing the way music was listened to and shared.

1912: Wilfrid Sellars, a Profound American Philosopher

Sellars challenged conventional thoughts in philosophy, particularly with his critical developments in epistemology and his steadfast bridge between philosophical traditions.

1913: William Hewlett, Engineer and Co-Founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company

As a pioneering engineer and entrepreneur, Hewlett's innovations laid the groundwork for the computer industry and set a high bar for tech entrepreneurship and invention.

1946: Cher, Iconic American Singer and Actress

Known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and dynamic stage presence, Cher is a symbol of empowerment and resilience in the entertainment world.

💔 Died on This Day in History

1506: Christopher Columbus, the Explorer 

An iconic figure in the Age of Exploration, Columbus's expeditions paved the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas, despite the complex legacy of his voyages.

1959: Alfred Schutz, a Sociologist and Philosopher 

Schutz's profound insights into human behavior and social structures have profoundly influenced the fields of sociology and philosophy, making his theories a cornerstone in social thought.