What happened on July 20th?

Good morning!

Let's kick off the day with some exciting history from July 19th. On this day in 1969, humans first set foot on the Moon. Neil Armstrong's iconic words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," marked an unforgettable moment of triumph and exploration.

Keep reading to learn about other interesting events that happened on this day in history.

👨🏻‍🚀1969: Humans First Set Foot on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, humanity achieved one of its most remarkable feats when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon. This historic event was the culmination of the Apollo 11 mission, a major milestone in NASA's Apollo program, aimed at fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's 1961 promise to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade's end.

The mission began on July 16, 1969, with the launch of the Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft carried three astronauts: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module, named "Eagle," while Collins remained in orbit around the Moon in the Command Module, "Columbia." After a tense descent, the Eagle landed in the Sea of Tranquility, a flat lunar basin.

As Armstrong descended the ladder of the Lunar Module, he famously proclaimed, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," as he became the first human to step onto the lunar surface. Aldrin soon followed, and together they spent about two and a half hours exploring, collecting samples, conducting experiments, and taking photographs. Their activities provided invaluable scientific data and iconic images that captivated the world.

⚔️ 1402: The Battle of Ankara Took Place

The Battle of Ankara took place on July 20, 1402, between the forces of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and the Central Asian ruler Timur (Tamerlane). Timur's forces decisively defeated the Ottomans, capturing Bayezid I, which led to a period of civil war and fragmentation within the Ottoman Empire known as the Ottoman Interregnum. This battle significantly weakened the Ottoman state, delayed its expansion into Europe, and altered the power dynamics in the region.

⚔️ 1877: The Siege of Pleven Began

The Siege of Pleven (Pleven) began during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Russian and Romanian forces besieged the Ottoman-held city, leading to a prolonged and bloody conflict that lasted until December 1877. The siege played a crucial role in the eventual Russian victory in the war.

⚔️ 1881: Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux Leader, Sitting Bull, Surrendered to U.S Forces

On July 20, 1881, Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux leader Sitting Bull surrendered to U.S. forces at Fort Buford in Montana. After years of resistance against U.S. government policies and military actions, including his role in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, Sitting Bull's surrender marked the end of significant armed Native American resistance in the Great Plains. His surrender was influenced by the diminishing resources and harsh conditions his people faced, leading them to seek peace with the U.S. authorities.

✊ 1894: The Pullman Strike Over Wage Cuts Ended

The Pullman Strike, a nationwide railroad strike in the United States, came to an end after a tumultuous period marked by widespread labor unrest and government intervention. The strike, which began on May 11, 1894, stemmed from grievances of Pullman Palace Car Company workers over wage cuts and deteriorating working conditions, exacerbated by the economic depression of 1893. Federal intervention, including the use of troops, was required to break the strike.

😖 1917: Prince Georgy Yevgenyevich Lvov Resigned His Post as Prime Minister

In July 1917, Prince Georgy Yevgenyevich Lvov resigned his post as Prime Minister of the Russian Provisional Government. Lvov's resignation was driven by his frustration with the government's inability to address the ongoing political and social turmoil following the February Revolution. His departure paved the way for Alexander Kerensky to become the new Prime Minister, as the Provisional Government continued to struggle with internal divisions and external pressures, which eventually led to the October Revolution. Read more about February Revolution in February Revolution: Causes, Location, and Outcome of the Russian Revolution.

📜 1917: The Corfu Declaration Was Issued

On July 20, 1917, the Corfu Declaration was issued, marking a significant step towards the formation of Yugoslavia. Signed by the representatives of the Kingdom of Serbia and the Yugoslav Committee, the declaration called for the unification of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes into a single state. This agreement laid the foundation for the creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in 1918, later known as Yugoslavia.

🔪 1944: The Assassination Plot against Hitler Failed

The July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, led by German Army officer Claus von Stauffenberg, failed. The bomb planted at Hitler's headquarters in East Prussia did not kill the dictator, leading to severe reprisals against the conspirators and others suspected of involvement.

✍️ 1948: President Truman Issued the Peacetime Draft

President Harry S. Truman signed the Selective Service Act of 1948, instituting the first peacetime draft in U.S. history. This act required men aged 19 to 26 to register for the draft, preparing the nation for potential conflicts during the early years of the Cold War. Read about the Cold War and its people in The Cold War: The Ordinary People who Helped Shaped the Future.

🛰️ 1976: Viking 1 Lands on Mars

NASA's Viking 1 spacecraft successfully landed on Mars, becoming the first American mission to land on the planet. Viking 1 provided the first clear images of the Martian surface and conducted experiments searching for signs of life.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1919: Edmund Hillary, New Zealand Explorer

Edmund Hillary, born on this day, was a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer. In 1953, he and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.

1938: Natalie Wood, Actress

Natalie Wood was an American actress known for her roles in films such as West Side Story, Rebel Without a Cause, and Splendor in the Grass. She received three Academy Award nominations during her career.

1947: Carlos Santana, Musician

Carlos Santana is a Mexican-American guitarist and songwriter who gained fame with his band Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American music. Santana has won numerous Grammy Awards and is known for hits like Black Magic Woman and Smooth.

💔 Died on This Day in History

1937: Guglielmo Marconi, Italian Physicist

Guglielmo Marconi was an Italian inventor and physicist known for pioneering long-distance radio transmission work. He is credited with the invention of the radio and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909. Read more about this in Who Invented the Radio? The Full Story of Guglielmo Marconi and Digital Chatterboxes. 

1973: Bruce Lee, Actor

Bruce Lee was a Hong Kong-American martial artist, actor, and filmmaker best known for his roles in films such as Enter the Dragon and Fists of Fury. Lee was a cultural icon who popularized martial arts in the West and significantly influenced modern martial arts and action films.

Here we come to the end of today’s newsletter. It was a day filled with a variety of events that helped shape the world we know today. See you tomorrow with more important facts from the past.

Matt