On this day: July 20

The First Moon Landing (1969)

On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission successfully landed on the moon, making history as the first manned mission to land on the lunar surface. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon, with Armstrong famously declaring, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The mission was a major milestone in space exploration and remains one of the most iconic moments in human history.

The Assassination of King Umberto I of Italy (1900)

On July 20, 1900, King Umberto I of Italy was assassinated by an anarchist named Gaetano Bresci. The king had been in power for 23 years and was known for his conservative policies. Bresci, who was motivated by a desire to overthrow the monarchy, shot the king three times while he was attending a public event in Monza. Umberto I’s death sparked outrage and led to increased repression of anarchist groups in Italy.

The Opening of the Panama Canal (1914)

On July 20, 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened to traffic, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and revolutionizing global trade. The canal had been under construction for over a decade and was a massive engineering feat, with thousands of workers from around the world involved in its construction. The opening of the canal shortened the sea route between the east and west coasts of the Americas and had a major impact on international commerce.

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (1975)

On July 20, 1975, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project became the first joint space mission between the United States and the Soviet Union. The mission marked a significant thaw in Cold War tensions and symbolized cooperation in space exploration. The American spacecraft Apollo and the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz docked in orbit, and the astronauts from both countries conducted joint experiments and exchanged gifts. The mission was a historic moment in space diplomacy and paved the way for future international collaborations in space.

The Bombing of the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires (1994)

On July 20, 1994, a bombing at the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killed 85 people and injured hundreds more. The attack was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in Argentina’s history and remains unsolved to this day. The bombing was widely condemned as an act of terrorism and sparked outrage and grief in the Jewish community in Argentina and around the world.