April 20

This Day in History

Also on This Day

Lead Story
Castro announces Mariel Boatlift, 1980
American Revolution
New York adopts state constitution, 1777
Automotive
Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Indy race, 2008
Civil War
Lee resigns from U.S. Army, 1861
Cold War
Korean Air Lines jet forced down over Soviet Union, 1978
Crime
A massacre at Columbine High School, 1999
Disaster
Massive oil spill begins in Gulf of Mexico, 2010
General Interest
Siege of Londonderry begins, 1689
Ku Klux Act passed by Congress, 1871
Curies isolate radium, 1902
Columbine High School massacre, 1999
Hollywood
New sound process for films announced, 1926
Literary
First detective story is published, 1841
Music
"Mambo King" Tito Puente is born, 1923
Old West
Militia slaughters strikers at Ludlow, Colorado, 1914
Presidential
McKinley asks for declaration of war with Spain, 1898
Sports
Jordan scores 63 points in playoff game, 1986
Vietnam War
Nixon announces more troop withdrawals, 1970
"Fragging" on the rise in U.S. units, 1971
World War I
Nivelle Offensive ends in failure, 1917
World War II
Operation Corncob is launched while Hitler celebrates his birthday, 1945

World War II

Apr 20, 1945:

Operation Corncob is launched while Hitler celebrates his birthday

Previous Day April 20 Calendar Next Day

On this day in 1945, Allied bombers in Italy begin a three-day attack on the bridges over the rivers Adige and Brenta to cut off German lines of retreat on the peninsula. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler celebrates his 56th birthday as a Gestapo reign of terror results in the hanging of 20 Russian prisoners of war and 20 Jewish children: Of these, at least nine are under the age of 12. All of the victims had been taken from Auschwitz to Neuengamme, the place of execution, for the purpose of medical experimentation.

Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!

Previous Day April 20 Calendar Next Day

This Week in History, Apr 20 - Apr 26

Apr 20, 1945
Operation Corncob is launched while Hitler celebrates his birthday
Apr 21, 1945
Red Army overruns German High Command as it approaches the capital
Apr 22, 1944
Americans launch Operation Persecution in the Pacific
Apr 22, 1945
Hitler admits defeat
Apr 23, 1942
Germans begin "Baedeker Raids" on England
Apr 24, 1876
Erich Raeder, commander in chief of the German navy, is born on this day
Apr 24, 1940
Britain begins its evacuation of Greece in Operation Demon
Apr 25, 1945
Americans and Russians link up, cut Germany in two
Apr 26, 1894
Rudolf Hess is born

Related Topics

What Happened on Your Birthday?

Pick a Date

Editor’s Picks

Bio.com

  • On This Day

    On This Day

    Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.

Shop HISTORY

See More