Today in History graphic for July 20 featuring Apollo 11's Moon landing, Ford Motor Company's first automobile, Viking 1 on Mars, the Special Olympics, and the USS Constitution.

July 20 in History: Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon, Ford Ships Its First Car, and Viking 1 Reaches Mars

Scott Winters July 20, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on July 20 in history as remarkable achievements, historic milestones, technological advances, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on July 20 in History?

Important events on this day include Apollo 11’s historic Moon landing, Ford Motor Company shipping its first automobile, Viking 1 becoming the first successful U.S. spacecraft to land on Mars, the first Special Olympics Summer Games, and the restoration voyage of the USS Constitution.

JULY 20 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1868 – U.S. legislation ordered tax stamps to be placed on all cigarette packs.

1881 – Sioux Indian leader Sitting Bull surrendered to federal troops in Montana.

1903 – The Ford Motor Company shipped its first automobile, marking the beginning of one of the world’s most influential automakers.

1940 – “Billboard” magazine published its very first listing of best-selling singles. The original list had only ten songs.

1968 – The first international Special Olympics Summer Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, with about 1,000 athletes.

1969 – Apollo 11 successfully landed on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the lunar surface as Armstrong delivered the famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

1976 – Hank Aaron hit the final home run of his career…#755.

1976 – America’s Viking I robot spacecraft made a successful landing on the planet Mars.

1977 – The CIA released documents under the Freedom of Information Act revealing details of its controversial MKUltra mind-control experiments.

1997 – The fully restored U.S.S. Constitution (also known as Old Ironsides) celebrated its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years.

1977 – Gov. William Milliken signed a law making it mandatory for wild game or bird hunters in Michigan to wear fluorescent orange vests, jackets, or caps.

2012 – James Holmes opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, CO killing 12 and injuring 70 others.

2015 – The United States and Cuba resume full diplomatic relations after five decades.

2017 – Magician Criss Angel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2017 – O.J. Simpson was granted parole, after spending nine years of a 33 year sentence in a Nevada jail, for armed robbery charges in Las Vegas, NV.

2021 – American businessman Jeff Bezos flew into space aboard the New Shepard NS-16, operated by his Private spaceflight company Blue Origin.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JULY 20:

Barbara Mikulski – 90 years old (1936) – Social worker and politician

Tony Oliva – 88 years old (1938) – Cuban-American baseball player and coach

Judy Chicago – 87 years old (1939) – Feminist artist

Mickey Stanley – 84 years old (1942) – Baseball player

T. G. Sheppard – 82 years old (1944) – Country music singer-songwriter

Kim Carnes – 81 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter

Larry Craig – 81 years old (1945) – Soldier and politician

Randal Kleiser – 80 years old (1946) – Actor, director, and producer

Carlos Santana – 79 years old (1947) – Mexican-American singer-songwriter and guitarist

Muse Watson – 78 years old (1948) – Actor and producer

Jay Jay French – 74 years old (1952) – Guitarist

Thomas Friedman – 73 years old (1953) – Journalist and author

Marcia Hines – 73 years old (1953) – American-Australian singer and actress

Moira Harris – 72 years old (1954) – Actress

Radney Foster – 67 years old (1959) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Mike Witt – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player

Carlos Alazraqui – 64 years old (1962) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter

Frank Whaley – 63 years old (1963) – Actor, director, and screenwriter

Terri Irwin – 62 years old (1964) – American-Australian zoologist and author

Dean Winters – 62 years old (1964) – Actor

Jess Walter – 61 years old (1965) – Journalist and author

Stone Gossard – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Courtney Taylor-Taylor – 59 years old (1967) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Jimmy Carson – 58 years old (1968) – Ice hockey player

Kool G Rap – 58 years old (1968) – Hip-hop artist

Josh Holloway – 57 years old (1969) – Actor

Joon Park – 57 years old (1969) – South Korean-American singer

Tobi Vail – 57 years old (1969) – Singer and guitarist

Vitamin C – 57 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter

Charles Johnson – 55 years old (1971) – Baseball player

Omar Epps – 53 years old (1973) – Actor

Claudio Reyna – 53 years old (1973) – Soccer player

Simon Rex – 52 years old (1974) – Actor and rapper

Ray Allen – 51 years old (1975) – Basketball player and actor

Judy Greer – 51 years old (1975) – Actress and producer

Erica Hill – 50 years old (1976) – Journalist

Will Solomon – 48 years old (1978) – Basketball player

Elliott Yamin – 48 years old (1978) – Singer-songwriter

Matt Gilroy – 42 years old (1984) – Ice hockey player

John Francis Daley – 41 years old (1985) – Actor and screenwriter

Julianne Hough – 38 years old (1988) – Singer-songwriter, actress, and dancer

Stephen Strasburg – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball player

Sami Whitcomb – 38 years old (1988) – American-Australian basketball player

Alec Burks – 35 years old (1991) – Basketball player

Maia Shibutani – 32 years old (1994) – Ice dancer

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JULY 20:

National Moon Day: The celestial body that brightens up our nightscape with its enigmatic glow and phases, inspiring poets, artists, and scientists alike.
Friends Day: In Argentina, Friends Day is a special celebration that highlights the joy and importance of friendships. On this day, people across the country come together to honor the bonds they share with their friends. How to Celebrate Friends Day Plan a Surprise Gathering Why not throw a surprise get-together? Secretly round...
International Chess Day: Join a chess club, challenge a friend or family member to a game, sign up for a tournament or start learning on your own against a computer or online player.
Space Exploration Day: Organize a star gazing party, set off bottle rockets, watch a classic science fiction movie or just look up at the night sky on Space Exploration Day.
National Lollipop Day: Channel your inner child by popping a lollipop in your mouth on National Lollipop Day. From Tootsie-Pops to Whirly Pops to Chupa Chups and more.
National Fortune Cookie Day: Go out to a Chinese restaurant or order take-out and pay extra attention to the fortune in your fortune cookie. Give some thought to it—maybe you’ll learn something.
World Jump Day: It won’t actually change the Earth’s orbit, but that was the idea behind getting 60 million people in the Western hemisphere to all jump at the same time.
National Get Out of the Dog House Day: Let go of your grudges, and make any apologies you have to make in order to “get out of the dog house” and repair your relationships with friends and family.
National Ugly Truck Day: Discover charm in unconventional vehicles, where rugged allure meets the road, each blemish narrating unique tales of journeys endured.
Global Hug Your Kids Day: Wrap your arms around them and feel their warmth. Express your love, affection and appreciation by hugging your kids every day!
International Boombox Day: International Boombox Day celebrates the bold energy of portable music culture. Boomboxes, once symbols of self-expression, turned sidewalks into dance floors. People carried them on their shoulders, blasting beats that echoed through city blocks. These machines weren’t just speakers—they brought people together. Music spilled out of them, filling parks, corners, and...
National Wiffle Ball Day: National Wiffle Ball Day celebrates a plastic bat-and-ball game loved by families and friends everywhere. Players swing lightweight bats and pitch gentle curveballs tossed with a special perforated ball. Kids laugh, adults compete, and homes fill with echoes of play. It brings simple fun into yards and parks with a...
National Pennsylvania Day: Rolling hills, lively cities, and deep-rooted history make Pennsylvania a place worth celebrating. National Pennsylvania Day shines a light on everything that makes this state special. From the Liberty Bell to Amish farmlands, every corner holds a story. This day recognizes the people, places, and achievements that have shaped both...
Colombia’s Independence Day: Exploring the vibrant spirit of a nation's autonomy, uncovering the resilience and cultural richness embedded in Colombia's history.
National Zoo Keeper Week: Dedicated professionals caring for exotic animals, ensuring their well-being, educating the public, and contributing to conservation efforts.
National Moth Week: Sign up for an event or citizen project during Moth Week to get involved, take and post photos, and get a good look at the interesting varieties of moths out there.
National Parenting Gifted Children Week: The unique joys and challenges of nurturing exceptional talents, fostering creativity, and supporting their emotional growth.