September 20 is more than a date on the calendar. It links big turns in history with everyday moments. On this day explorers left Spain on a voyage that would circumnavigate the globe. It also saw the breach of Rome’s walls and events that shaped modern states and ideas.
This article covers everything special about September 20. You will find national days, religious feasts, landmark events, famous birthdays and deaths, plus useful stats and sources. Read on for a clear, well-structured guide to why September 20 matters—past and present.
What Happens on September 20: Holidays, Key Events, People and Facts
September 20 packs variety. It holds national holidays, international observances and quirky food days. It also records turning points in exploration, politics and science.
Below are clear sections. Each part explains one angle: history, observances, births and deaths, pop culture, and ways to mark the day.
Quick Overview: What September 20 Includes
- Historical turning points (exploration, battles, political changes).
- National and regional holidays (Constitution Day in Nepal; Youth Day in Thailand; Oil Workers’ Day in Azerbaijan; South Ossetia’s Republic Day).
- International and local observances (Germany’s World Children’s Day on Sep 20).
- Pop culture notes (famous births and deaths).
- Fun food observances (Pepperoni Pizza Day, Fried Rice Day, String Cheese Day).
- Scientific and space milestones (notable launches and speeches about science and space cooperation).
Major Historical Events that Fall on September 20
1.1 Ferdinand Magellan sets out (1519) — a voyage that changed the world
On September 20, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet left Spain to find a western route to the Spice Islands. Five ships and roughly 270 men began the voyage. The expedition proved the world could be circled by sea. Only one ship, the Victoria, returned three years later, with about 18 survivors. The journey confirmed how vast the oceans are and changed maps, trade and global politics.
Why it matters: the voyage reshaped trade routes and gave Europe the first reliable proof of a westward sea route to Asia. It also started the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe, an achievement that still ranks among history’s major explorations.
1.2 Capture of Rome and Italian unification (1870)
On September 20, 1870, troops of the Kingdom of Italy breached Rome’s Aurelian Walls at Porta Pia and entered the city. This action effectively ended the Papal States as a territorial power and completed the unification of Italy. Within months Rome became the capital of a united Italy, a major shift in 19th century European politics.
Why it matters: Italian unification altered the map of Europe. The event also reshaped church-state relations and set the stage for modern Italy’s political life.
1.3 John F. Kennedy’s United Nations address (1963)
On September 20, 1963, President John F. Kennedy spoke to the UN General Assembly. In that address he proposed broader international cooperation in space. He asked whether the first flight to the moon should be a matter of competition or cooperation. That speech is a notable example of early diplomacy around space exploration.
Why it matters: Kennedy’s words helped frame space exploration as both a scientific task and a diplomatic arena. The speech reflected the Cold War era but also seeded ideas of international science cooperation.
1.4 U.S. response and a key speech after 9/11 (2001)
On September 20, 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush addressed a joint session of Congress, nine days after the 9/11 attacks. The speech set the tone for the U.S. response and framed the broad “war on terror” that followed. It is a major modern political moment tied to that date.
Why it matters: the address consolidated international and domestic support for action and policy changes. It also marked a shift in US security policy that had global consequences.
1.5 Science and space milestones that fell on September 20
- NASA and other space agencies record a range of events around September 20 across multiple years. For example, the third High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO-3) launched in late 1979, part of a wave of science missions that expanded high-energy astrophysics. Other launches and mission events also align with this date in various years.
Why it matters: many science missions choose launch windows and mission dates by technical and orbital constraints. When a mission aligns with a calendar date like September 20, it joins a long list of scientific markers attached to that date.
National Days and Official Observances on September 20
This date hosts several official and local holidays around the world. Below are the most notable.
2.1 Constitution Day — Nepal (20 September)
Nepal’s current constitution came into force on September 20, 2015. Many Nepalese mark the date as Constitution Day, a national occasion tied to the 2015 transition to a federal democratic republic. The constitution’s official documentation lists the date and the text of the constitution.
What happens: official ceremonies, speeches, and educational programs often take place. Government offices and many institutions mark the day to honor the constitutional framework.
2.2 Independence / Republic days — South Ossetia (1990)
South Ossetia — a region that declared de facto independence from Georgia — commemorates the proclamation of the republic on September 20, 1990. The day is observed locally with ceremonies and official statements. Note that South Ossetia’s status is disputed internationally.
Why a note of caution: political recognition is contested. When marking regional holidays tied to geopolitics, be aware of differing international positions.
2.3 National Youth Day — Thailand (September 20)
Thailand celebrates National Youth Day on September 20. The date links to royal birthdays and a series of youth-focused programs. Many local events focus on employment, education and civic involvement.
2.4 Oil Workers’ Day — Azerbaijan (September 20)
Azerbaijan marks a professional holiday for oil industry workers on September 20. This reflects the central role of oil in Azerbaijan’s economy and its modern energy history.
2.5 World Children’s Day (Germany) — September 20
Germany marks World Children’s Day (Weltkindertag) on September 20. This stems from West Germany’s adoption of a September date and now serves as Germany’s main national children’s observance, focused on children’s rights and welfare. Some German states give the day local observance status.
Popular, Cultural and “Fun” Days on September 20
Not all observances are official. Many national calendars list food and lifestyle days that are widely noted online. These can be a light way to mark the date.
Common fun days on Sep 20 (examples you might see in media and social channels)
- Pepperoni Pizza Day — a day to celebrate one of the most popular pizza toppings.
- National Fried Rice Day — a casual food observance.
- National String Cheese Day — a snack-focused day.
- National Care for Kids Day — a charity/awareness day for kids (observed third Saturday in September in some listings).
Famous People Born on September 20
September 20 has been the birthday of many notable figures across arts, politics and sport. Below are selected, well-known names with brief notes.
- Sophia Loren (born 1934) — Italian film actress and international star
- Upton Sinclair (born 1878) — American novelist and muckraker, author of The Jungle
- Khabib Nurmagomedov (born 1988) — Russian mixed martial artist, former UFC lightweight champion
Notable Deaths on September 20
- Jim Croce (died 1973) — American singer-songwriter who died in a plane crash on September 20, 1973. His death cut short a rising career that had produced hits like “Time in a Bottle.”
- Jean Sibelius (died 1957) — Finnish composer (often listed among notable historical deaths falling on this date).
- Jacob Grimm (died 1863) — of the Brothers Grimm, noted folklorist.
September 20 Across Categories — Year-by-Year Highlights
Below are representative entries arranged roughly by era. This is not exhaustive but gives a sense of how the date has repeated in history.
- 1530s–1600s: Religious debates, colonial clashes and town foundings often appear in early modern chronologies for September 20. (Examples include local military or civic records.)
- 1519: Magellan departs Seville on a five-ship fleet.
- 1643: First Battle of Newbury (English Civil War) had a relevant action in late September.
- 1870: Italian troops enter Rome at Porta Pia and annex the city, completing Italian unification.
- 1963: President John F. Kennedy’s UN speech, proposing joint moon mission ideas.
- 1979: HEAO-3 and other science mission events fall around late September; notable for astrophysics progress.
- 2001: President George W. Bush’s address to Congress after the 9/11 attacks on Sept 20 set policy direction.
Religious and Liturgical Observances on September 20
Different faith calendars list various saints and local feasts on September 20. In Christian liturgical calendars (especially Eastern Orthodox lists), local saints and commemorations may appear on this date.
Data and Credible Stats Connected to September 20 Items
Here are a few well-sourced numbers that help explain why certain September 20 items matter:
- Magellan’s fleet: The five-ship fleet that left Spain on September 20, 1519 had roughly 270 men. After nearly three years and many losses, only the ship Victoria returned, with about 18 survivors. This dramatic ratio shows how perilous 16th-century exploration was.
- Italian unification milestone: The September 20, 1870 entry of Italian troops into Rome is widely noted as the final territorial act completing Italian unification. This event changed Italy’s political structure and ended the Papal States’ temporal rule.
- 9/11 human cost: Public records and memorials note 2,977 deaths in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The September 20, 2001 address to Congress was part of the immediate national response. That speech and the policy changes after it were major world events tied to that September calendar period.
- Nepal constitution: Nepal’s 2015 constitution is dated to 20 September 2015. The official documents and government publications state the exact date when the constitution came into force.
- Pizza consumption context: Industry reporting and food press commonly cite figures near 3 billion pizzas sold annually in the U.S. This number is a useful background when referencing Pepperoni Pizza Day or other food observances on Sep 20. Use industry sources when quoting exact sales or revenue figures.
Conclusion
September 20 is more than just another date. It has marked turning points in history, from Magellan’s daring voyage to Italy’s unification. It carries modern significance through national holidays like Nepal’s Constitution Day and Germany’s World Children’s Day. It also offers lighter notes with fun food days and cultural observances.
Looking at September 20 reminds us how a single day can carry centuries of meaning. It blends history, politics, culture, and everyday traditions into one timeline. Whether you see it as a day of exploration, unity, youth, or even pizza, September 20 proves that every date on the calendar has a story worth knowing.
10. FAQs
Q: Is September 20 a public holiday anywhere?
A: Yes. Nepal observes Constitution Day on or near this date. Some regions and localities also mark other days — for example, Germany holds World Children’s Day events on September 20. Always check local calendars for closures
Q: What is the most famous historical event on September 20?
A: Two events stand out: Magellan’s fleet leaving Spain in 1519 and the Capture of Rome in 1870. Both had wide historical consequences: exploration and national unification
Q: Are there any global UN observances on Sep 20?
A: No major UN global day is fixed on September 20. The UN General Assembly meets in September and individual speeches and sessions sometimes fall on this date. For country-level observances (like Nepal’s constitution), national authorities declare the details
Q: Where can I find a full list of events for September 20?
A: Use reputable “on this day” resources such as Britannica’s “On This Day,” History.com and archival databases. For national holidays and official dates, check government or official organization sites.
Sources and further reading
Below are selected, credible sources used in this article. Use them to verify facts or dive deeper.
- Magellan sets sail: History.com “Magellan sets sail” entry. HISTORY
- Magellan voyage statistics and survivors: National Geographic / Wikipedia entries on the Magellan expedition. National Geographic
- Capture of Rome and Italian unification: Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica
- President Bush speech (Sept 20, 2001): White House archives of the presidential address. George W. Bush White House Archives
- Constitution of Nepal (promulgation date and official text): Government PDF and constitution references. ag.gov.np
- Germany’s World Children’s Day: timeanddate / national day summaries. Time and Date
- National and food observances: National Day Calendar and related listings. National Day Calendar
- Pizza consumption and industry context: Food Processing and Food & Wine coverage of industry figures and trends.(https://www.foodprocessing.com/home/article/11372598/nutrition-trends-three-billion-pizzas-sold-annually?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
