SEPTEMBER 20 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on September 20
Carleton Ellis
Died: January 13, 1941 (age 64 years)
Inventor involved in the development of margarine, polyester, paint and varnish remover.
Maxwell Perkins
Died: June 17, 1947 (age 62 years)
Editor and publisher for literary greats Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe.
Dale Chihuly
Blown glass sculptor known for his large-scale sculptures.
Historical Events on September 20
Events that occurred on September 20 throughout history
The Walking Purchase concludes of Lenape-Delaware tribal land.
The Walking Purchase concludes, which forces the cession of 1.2 million acres of Lenape-Delaware tribal land to the Pennsylvania Colony. One hundred years later, experts analyzed the deed and concluded it was a forgery.
The Star Spangled Banner is published as a song.
The Star Spangled Banner is published as a song. The "song" was originally written by Francis Scott Key as a poem Defence of Fort McHenry.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is created.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is created. The Association was the first permanent, national organization that connected all scientific fields and disciplines in the U.S.
The slave trade is abolished in Washington, DC.
The slave trade is abolished in Washington, DC, but allowed to continue. Owning and holding enslaved people remained legal, but buying and selling a slave stopped.
The first visit to the U.S. by a Prince of Wales begins.
The future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom begins the first visit to the U.S. by a Prince of Wales. The visit lasted until lasted until November 15.
President Chester A. Arthur is sworn in as the 21st President.
President Chester A. Arthur is sworn in as the 21st President following the death of President Garfield. President James A. Garfield died on September 19, 1881, after complications from an assassination attempt by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881.
The first FORTRAN computer program runs at IBM.
The first FORTRAN computer program runs at IBM. It was the first successful test compilation and execution of a computer program using high-level programming language.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiers on television.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiers on television, airing 594 original episodes in 28 seasons. The series is still shown on NBC.
President George W. Bush declares a "war on terror."
President George W. Bush declares a "war on terror" during his address to a joint session of Congress and the American people.