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International observance days, weeks, and months for June 20, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
Events that occurred on June 20 throughout history
Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States. The front side of the seal, which serves as the national coat of arms, features a bald eagle clutching an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its left. The reverse side features an unfinished pyramid topped by the Eye of Providence in a triangle, with the Roman numerals for 1776 (MDCCLXXVI) inscribed at the base.
Samuel Morse patents his telegraph. His invention revolutionized communication transmitting messages instantly over vast distances using a series of dots and dashes. The method became known as Morse Code.
The National Bank of Davenport (Iowa) becomes the first bank chartered in U.S. The bank was the first bank to open for business under the National Banking Act of 1863.
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to join the Union after splitting with Virginia
Caroline Willard Baldwin made history at Cornell University by becoming the first woman to earn a doctoral degree in science from an American institution. She specialized in physics with her thesis, A Photographic Study of Arc Spectra.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is incorporated in New York. The organization relocated its national headquarters to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1986.
The Secretary of State Edward Stettinius Jr. approves the transfer of SS Nazi rocket scientists, Wernher von Braun and his team, to the U.S. under a secret government initiative known as Project Overcast (later renamed Operation Paperclip). The U.S. was eager to use German engineering to get a step up in the Cold War.
The film Jaws is released in the United States, becoming the highest-grossing film of that time. The release started the trend of "summer blockbusters" films.
Co-founder Jimmy Wales announced the establishment of the Wikimedia Foundation in St. Petersburg, Florida. Today, the foundation supports the infrastructure and thousands of global volunteers for Wikipedia.
People born on June 20
Acclaimed actor easily recognized by his role as Dan on Roseanne.
Multi-award winning musician whose hits include Sail On, Three Times a Lady, My Love, All Night Long (All Night) and Hello.
Conservationist and co-founder of the National Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife magazine.
Bicycle, automobile, and diesel engine designer and inventor who designed the first gas running automobile.
Musician and co-founder of the Beach Boys.
Considered the most decorated combat soldier of World War II. During his service, her earned 33 medals. One at the age of 19 for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket in France in January 1945. He then lead a counterattack while wounded.
The host for This Old House, Bob Vila's Home Again, and Bob Vila.
