One Giant Leap: Moon Landing Day!
Get ready for some seriously awesome history! July 20th is a date that literally took humanity to new heights when we first stepped onto the Moon. But that’s not all! We’ve got ancient battles, modern upsets, and even a robot landing on Mars all packed into this one amazing day. Let's blast off into the past!
While the Moon landing in 1969 is the biggest star, check out the robot on Mars in 1976—that's Viking I saying 'Hello!' from another planet! Plus, centuries ago, a huge battle ended with an Ottoman Sultan being captured. History is full of action, whether it's in space or on Earth!
What Happened on This Day
Humans First Walked on the Moon!
This is the big one! On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, named 'Eagle,' safely landed on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility. A few hours later, Neil Armstrong took his famous 'one small step.' Imagine the view! He and Buzz Aldrin spent over two hours exploring, collecting cool moon rocks, and planting a flag. It was the ultimate goal of the Space Race finally won!
Learn more
The Battle of Ankara Ends in Defeat
Way back in 1402, a massive battle unfolded near Ankara (in modern-day Turkey). The Turco-Mongol leader Timur, or Tamerlane, clashed with the powerful Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. It was a huge fight, but Timur's army crushed the Ottomans! The Sultan was actually captured and died in captivity, kicking off a massive 11-year civil war in the Ottoman Empire. Talk about a major historical plot twist!
Robot Lands on Mars for the First Time
While the Apollo astronauts were exploring the Moon, another space hero landed on Mars! In 1976, NASA’s Viking I lander touched down on the red planet. This amazing robot was the first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and start sending back pictures and soil samples. It was like sending a remote-control rover for a very long vacation, helping us learn if life could ever exist there!
Learn more
Hitler Survives a Close Call Assassination
Imagine a bomb going off right next to a powerful leader, and they walk away with only minor injuries! That’s what happened to Adolf Hitler on this day in 1944. German army officers tried to blow him up in a briefcase bomb during a meeting. The explosion was huge, but Hitler survived, only wounded! This attempt, called the '20 July plot,' showed how much opposition he faced even within his own military.
Sitting Bull Surrenders to U.S. Forces
After years of leading his people in resistance against the U.S. government, the famous Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux leader Sitting Bull finally surrendered to U.S. forces in Fort Buford, Montana. This was a sad but significant moment marking the end of major Native American armed resistance across the Great Plains. Sitting Bull was a powerful leader and a symbol of independence, making his surrender a tough day for the Lakota nation.
Fun Facts About July 20
- When Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon, his famous quote was technically missing the word 'a'!
- Viking I, the robot that landed on Mars today in 1976, sent back over 1,000 pictures!
- Edward VIII, who gave up the British throne, was only King for less than a year!
- The 1944 assassination attempt on Hitler involved a briefcase bomb hidden under a table!
A Look Back in Time
July 20th has always been a date for big, life-changing moments. In 1969, the world paused to watch the Moon landing, a peak moment of the Cold War Space Race against the Soviet Union. Centuries earlier, in 1402, the Ottoman Empire suffered a huge setback that completely changed the balance of power in the region. Then, in 1881, the struggles over land and treaties on the American Great Plains reached a pivotal, somber turning point with Sitting Bull's surrender.
Born on This Day
Alexander the Great
This legendary ancient Greek king conquered a massive empire, stretching from Greece all the way to India! He created one of the largest empires the world had ever seen before he was even 33. A true military genius, he spread Greek culture everywhere he went.
Learn more
Petrarch
Often called the 'Father of Humanism,' Petrarch was a super famous Italian poet from the Renaissance era. He loved rediscovering and copying ancient Roman and Greek books and poems. His own poetry was incredibly popular and helped kickstart a huge movement focused on human achievement and learning.
Edward VIII
He was a King of the United Kingdom, but only for a few months in 1936! Edward VIII chose to give up the throne so he could marry Wallis Simpson, an American woman he loved who had been divorced twice. This was a HUGE deal for the royal family!
Learn more
Carlos Santana
Get ready to rock! Carlos Santana is a super famous Mexican-American guitarist whose music blends rock with Latin rhythms—it’s impossible not to dance! He became a huge star in the 1960s and is known for his incredibly long, smooth, and soulful guitar solos. He’s still shredding today!