What Happened on September 20?
September 20 is National Pepperoni Pizza Day — a cheesy celebration — on the same date Magellan set sail in 1519, Billie Jean King won the Battle of the Sexes in 1973, and Chester A. Arthur took the presidential oath in 1881.
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1519 — Magellan’s fleet sets sail from Spain to circle the globe
On September 20, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan’s five ships left Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, beginning the first expedition to sail around the world. Read the full story →
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1873 — The New York Stock Exchange closes amid the Panic of 1873
On September 20, 1873, the New York Stock Exchange shut its doors for ten days as bank failures triggered the Panic of 1873. Read the full story →
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1881 — Chester A. Arthur is sworn in as U.S. president
On September 20, 1881, Vice President Chester A. Arthur took the oath of office after President James A. Garfield died from an assassin’s wounds. Read the full story →
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1946 — The first Cannes Film Festival opens in France
On September 20, 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival opened on the French Riviera, launching one of cinema’s most famous gatherings. Read the full story →
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1962 — James Meredith is blocked from registering at Ole Miss
On September 20, 1962, Mississippi officials blocked James Meredith from enrolling at the University of Mississippi, escalating a major civil rights confrontation. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Sophia Loren (1934) · Upton Sinclair (1878–1968) · George R.R. Martin (1948) · Anne Meara (1929–2015)
Days & observances
National Pepperoni Pizza Day · National String Cheese Day · World Cleanup Day · International Day of University Sport