What Happened on October 20?
October 20 is International Chefs Day — celebrating cooks who teach healthy eating — on the same date the Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, MacArthur returned to the Philippines in 1944, and the Sydney Opera House opened in 1973.
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1803 — The U.S. Senate approves the Louisiana Purchase treaty
On October 20, 1803, the U.S. Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase treaty — doubling the young nation's size with land bought from France. Read the full story →
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1827 — Allied fleets destroy the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at Navarino
On October 20, 1827, British, French, and Russian ships smashed an Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at Navarino Bay — a decisive moment in the Greek War of Independence. Read the full story →
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1944 — General MacArthur returns to the Philippines at Leyte
On October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore at Leyte and declared, 'I have returned' — fulfilling his pledge after Japan's 1942 conquest of the Philippines. Read the full story →
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1947 — The Hollywood Ten are cited for contempt of Congress
On October 20, 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee cited ten Hollywood writers and directors for contempt after they refused to answer political questions — the Hollywood Ten. Read the full story →
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1968 — Jacqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis
On October 20, 1968, former U.S. first lady Jacqueline Kennedy married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis on the island of Skorpios. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Mickey Mantle (1931–1995) · John Dewey (1859–1952) · Viggo Mortensen (1958) · Snoop Dogg (1971)
Days & observances
International Chefs Day · National Chicken Day · National Brandied Fruit Day · World Statistics Day (quinquennial)