What Happened on November 20?

November 20 is World Children's Day — marking landmark UN children's-rights texts — on the same date the Nuremberg trials opened in 1945, Microsoft released Windows 1.0 in 1985, and Mexico's Revolution is traditionally dated to begin in 1910.

• 1820 — The whaleship Essex is sunk by a sperm whale

  On November 20, 1820, a huge sperm whale rammed and sank the Nantucket whaleship Essex — a true story that later inspired Moby-Dick. Read the full story →

• 1910 — The Mexican Revolution begins

  On November 20, 1910, Mexico's long revolutionary struggle is traditionally dated to begin — after Francisco Madero called for an uprising against dictator Porfirio Díaz. Read the full story →

• 1945 — The Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders begin

  On November 20, 1945, Allied prosecutors opened the Nuremberg trials — holding top Nazi leaders accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Read the full story →

• 1947 — Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten

  On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey — a postwar royal wedding watched worldwide. Read the full story →

• 1985 — Microsoft releases Windows 1.0

  On November 20, 1985, Microsoft released Windows 1.0 — its first graphical environment for IBM-compatible PCs. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Edwin Hubble (1889–1953) · Robert F. Kennedy (1925–1968) · Joe Biden (1942) · Bo Derek (1956)

Days & observances

World Children's Day · National Peanut Butter Fudge Day · National Absurdity Day · Name Your PC Day