Nicosia, Cyprus. July 20 has been marked by major events in science, politics, conflict and culture, including the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969 and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
Early events
In 1937, Italian physicist and wireless telegraphy pioneer Guglielmo Marconi died.
In 1944, German officers unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler by placing a bomb under a table at the Nazi leader’s Wolf’s Lair headquarters in East Prussia.
Moon landing and Cyprus invasion
In 1969, the Moon landing took place, described as “one giant leap for mankind.”
In 1974, Turkish forces invaded Cyprus, shelling Kyrenia and advancing inland towards Nicosia.
Political and economic developments
In 1989, Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest following her criticism of the country’s military rulers.
In 1998, the Danish ferry Cat-Link V completed an Atlantic Ocean crossing in a world record time of two days, 20 hours and nine minutes.
In 2000, Vietnam opened a stock market in Ho Chi Minh City.
Later events
In 2001, anti-globalisation protester Carlo Giuliani was shot dead by a paramilitary police officer in Italy as the annual Group of Eight leaders’ meeting opened in Genoa.
In 2005, Canadian-born actor James Doohan, known for playing chief engineer Scotty in the original television series “Star Trek,” died aged 85.