Mary Ann Wright, a U.S. diplomat in Mongolia, resigned out of disagreement with George W. Bush's Mideast policy, his approach to North Korea and the domestic consequences of the War on Terrorism.
A British government White Paper on Northern Ireland proposes the re-establishment of an Assembly elected by proportional representation, with a possible All-Ireland council.
The French newspaper "L'Express" reveals that the French army tortures Algerian prisoners.
The French newspaper "L'Express" reveals that the French army tortures Algerian prisoners.
Tuesday, March 20, 1956
Tunisia gains independence from France.
Sunday, March 20, 1955
Evan Hunter's movie adaptation of the novel "Blackboard Jungle" premieres in the United States, featuring the famous single, "Rock Around the Clock", by Bill Haley and His Comets. Teenagers jump from their seats to dance to the song.
The Polish government decides to confiscate the property of the Polish Catholic Church.
Sunday, March 20, 1949
The Chicago, Burlington Quincy, Denver Rio Grande Western, and Western Pacific railroads inaugurate the "California Zephyr" passenger train between Chicago and Oakland, California, as the first long distance train to feature Vista Dome cars as regular equipment.
Monday, March 20, 1944
WWII: RAF Flight Sergeant Nicholas Alkemade's bomber is hit over Germany, and he has to bail out without a parachute from a height of over 4,000 meters. Tree branches interrupt his fall and he lands safely on deep snow.
Monday, March 20, 1939
At an emergency meeting in London to deal with the Romanian crisis, French Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet suggests to Lord Halifax that the ideal state for saving Romania from a German attack is Poland.
A new capital of North Carolina and county seat of the newly formed Wake County is established after North CarolinaState Senator and surveyor William Christmas submits his design for the city. A few months later the capital is officially named Raleigh in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh.
In the German town Memmingen the phlet "The Twelve Articles: The Just and Fundamental Articles of All the Peasantry and Tenants of Spiritual and Temporal Powers by Whom They Think Themselves Oppressed" is published , the first human rights related document written in Europe.
Saturday, March 11, 1469 (Julianian calendar)
The Battle of Nibley Green in England is the last fought between the private armies of feudal magnates.
Maximinus Thrax, age 62, is proclaimed emperor. He has a Gothic father and an Alan mother. Maximinus a Thracian, is the first foreigner to hold the Roman throne.