![[2] from Matthew Paris (1240–1253), Chronica Majora, volume II, folio 51v (55v), OCLC 9980090.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/BitvaLincoln1217ortho.jpg)
Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
May 20 Wednesday, May 20, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 20 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
UK history 809 years ago
The Second Battle of Lincoln is fought near Lincoln, England, resulting in the defeat of Prince Louis of France by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, defeats Prince Louis of France at the Second Battle of Lincoln, securing the English throne for the young Henry III.
History
What happened on May 20
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 325Religion
The First Council of Nicaea is formally opened, starting the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church.
Church leaders gather in Nicaea to address theological disputes, particularly the Arian controversy, and establish unified Christian doctrine at the first ecumenical council.
- 491Royalty
Empress Ariadne marries Anastasius I. The widowed Augusta is able to choose her successor for the Byzantine throne, after Zeno (late emperor) dies of dysentery.
Empress Ariadne marries Anastasius I, ensuring he becomes the next Byzantine emperor.
- 685European history
The Battle of Dun Nechtain is fought between a Pictish army under King Bridei III and the invading Northumbrians under King Ecgfrith, who are decisively defeated.
King Bridei III's Pictish forces defeat the invading Northumbrians led by King Ecgfrith in a decisive battle.
- 794Royalty
While visiting the royal Mercian court at Sutton Walls with a view to marrying princess Ælfthryth, King Æthelberht II of East Anglia is taken captive and beheaded.
King Æthelberht II of East Anglia is captured and beheaded while visiting the royal Mercian court at Sutton Walls to seek a marriage alliance with Princess Ælfthryth.
- 921European history
Christopher Lekapenos is crowned Byzantine co-emperor by his father, emperor Romanos I Lekapenos, on the feast of Whitsun.
Christopher Lekapenos is crowned co-emperor alongside his father Romanos I Lekapenos during the Feast of Whitsun.
- 942European history
A Magyar raiding army defeats forces of the Muslim frontier state of Fraxinetum.
A Magyar raiding army defeats the forces of the Muslim frontier state of Fraxinetum in southern Gaul.
- 1202Disaster
A major earthquake hits Syria, widely felt between Sicily and Iraq.
A powerful earthquake strikes Syria, shaking the region from Sicily to Iraq.
- 1217UK history
The Second Battle of Lincoln is fought near Lincoln, England, resulting in the defeat of Prince Louis of France by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, defeats Prince Louis of France at the Second Battle of Lincoln, securing the English throne for the young Henry III.
- 1449European history
The Battle of Alfarrobeira is fought, establishing the House of Braganza as a principal royal family of Portugal.
The Battle of Alfarrobeira establishes the House of Braganza as a leading Portuguese royal family.
- 1497UK history
John Cabot sets sail from Bristol, England, on his ship Matthew looking for a route to the west (other documents give a May 2 date).
John Cabot sets sail from Bristol aboard the Matthew, seeking a western trade route.
- 1520World history
Hernan Cortés defeats Pánfilo de Narváez, sent by Spain to punish him for insubordination.
Hernán Cortés defeats Pánfilo de Narváez's forces, avoiding punishment for his unauthorized expedition into Mexico.
- 1645War
Yangzhou massacre: The ten day massacre of the residents of the city of Yangzhou, part of the Transition from Ming to Qing.
Qing forces massacre the inhabitants of Yangzhou, marking a brutal episode in the transition from Ming to Qing rule.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 20
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 62
Kōichirō Genba
Japanese politician, 80th Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs
Kōichirō Genba, Japanese politician who served as the 80th Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2011 to 2012, turns 62 today.
Born
1964
Turns 62
today
Diego Abad de Santillán
Spanish economist and author
1897 – 1983
Balu Mahendra
Sri Lankan-Indian director, cinematographer, and screenwriter
1939 – 2014
Albano Carrisi
Italian singer, actor, and winemaker
b. 1943 · 83
Ted Allen
American television host and author
b. 1965 · 61
Shiboprosad Mukherjee
Indian film director, writer and actor
b. 1974 · 52
Enes Kanter
Turkish basketball player
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on May 20
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 20, 1932
Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland to begin the world's first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean by a female pilot, landing in Ireland the next day.
Amelia Earhart begins her historic solo transatlantic flight from Newfoundland.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 20, 1964
Discovery of the cosmic microwave background radiation by Robert Woodrow Wilson and Arno Penzias.
Robert Woodrow Wilson and Arno Penzias discover cosmic microwave background radiation, providing crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Day of Remembrance (Cambodia)
International
The National Day of Remembrance, formerly called the National Day of Hatred, which falls on 20 May, is an annual event in Cambodia
Emancipation Day (Florida)
International
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent
European Maritime Day (European Council)
International
European Maritime Day (EMD), celebrated on 20 May each year, seeks to raise European citizens' awareness of the seas and their importance
Independence Restoration Day, celebrates the independence of East Timor from Indonesia in 2002.
International
Timor-Leste's Independence Day or Day of Restoration of Independence is a national holiday in Timor-Leste on 20 May held to celebrate independence of the country from Indonesian occupation and United
Josephine Baker Day (NAACP)
International
Freda Josephine Baker, also spelled Joséphine Baker, was an American and French dancer, singer, and actress
National Awakening Day (Indonesia), and its related observances: Indonesian Doctor Day (Indonesia)
International
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays
❝
The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.
— Elizabeth Lawrence · born May 20, 1904