February 20: A Day of History
February 20th Milestones: Exploring Historical Landmarks
Celebrate anniversaries of historical milestones on this date!
1472: Annexation of Orkney and Shetland
Scotland took over Orkney and Shetland islands as King Christian of Denmark didn't pay James III's bride, Margaret of Denmark, her dowry.
1547: Edward VI's Coronation
Edward VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey after the death of his father, King Henry VIII.
1809: Saragossa's Fall
After a grueling two-month siege, the French forces took control of the Spanish city of Saragossa. Thousands of Frenchmen and Spaniards, many civilians, lost their lives during the conflict.
1810: Andreas Hofer's Execution
Innkeeper turned rebel leader, Andreas Hofer, was executed by firing squad in Mantua, Italy, following his unsuccessful uprising against the French Napoleonic forces in the Tyrol.
1813: Salta's Battle
Argentine general Manuel Belgrano triumphed in the Battle of Salta, defeating Spanish royalist forces and demonstrating the liberation movement's growing strength.
1841: F.W. Sertürner's Legacy
The German pharmacologist, Friedrich Wilhelm Sertürner, who had successfully isolated morphine from opium, passed away in Hamelin, Saxony.
1888: Marie Rambert's Birth
Dame Marie Rambert, a trailblazing figure in British ballet, arrived in London as Cyvia Rambam from Warsaw, Poland. She founded the Rambert Dance School and the Ballet Rambert, leading to a lasting impact on the world of dance.
Explore more On this day in history
- Previous: 19 February
- Next: 21 February
Fun Fact:
Andreas Hofer, the Tyrolean rebel leader, was executed in Mantua following his unsuccessful uprising against Napoleon's forces. He is celebrated as a national hero in Austria and South Tyrol for his defiance and leadership in the face of foreign occupation.
Politics often intertwine with war-and-conflicts, as seen in the 1810 execution of Andreas Hofer, a rebel leader who opposed Napoleon's forces. General news of the time also reported on the economic implications of wars, such as the annexation of Orkney and Shetland islands in 1472, which occurred due to King Christian of Denmark's inability to pay James III's bride, Margaret of Denmark, her dowry.
