February 20 – Today In History

February 20 – Today In History
We take a look at some of the events that occurred on February 20th.

Today In …

1792 - George Washington signed the Postal Service Act which established the U.S. Postal Service.

1872 - The Metropolitan Museum opened in New York City.

1962 - John Glenn manned the first orbital space mission which orbited the Earth four times in just under five hours.

2003 - A fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island during the performance of rock band Great White resulted in 99 deaths and a number of injuries.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Ansel Adams the famed photographer was born in 1902.

Robert Altman the director who was the man behind the camera for such films as “M*A*S*H”, “Gosford Park” and “A Prairie Home Companion” was born in 1925.

Charles Barkley famed basketball player was born in 1963.

Amanda Blake who is probably best known for her role as Miss Kitty on the long running TV western “Gunsmoke” was born in 1929.

Kurt Cobain lead singer of the band Nirvana was born in 1967.

Cindy Crawford the supermodel and actress was born in 1966.

Sandy Duncan who starred on Broadway and on TV’s “Valerie” was born in 1946.

Patty Hearst the heiress who was kidnapped and became part of a bank heist during her captivity was born in 1954.

Brian Littrell former lead singer of the group the Backstreet Boys was born in 1975.

Jennifer O’Neill the star of TV’s “Cover-Up” and “Rio Lobo” was born in 1948.

Roger Penske the legendary race care driver was born in 1937.

Sidney Poitier the acclaimed actor of such films as “A Raisin in the Sun”, “Lilies of the Field” and “In the Heat of the Night” was born in 1927.

Rihanna the singer of such tunes as “Pon De Replay” was born in 1988.

French Stewart the actor who starred in TV’s “3rd Rock from the Sun” and in the films “Love Stinks” and “McHale’s Navy” was born in 1964.

Lili Taylor the actress who starred in the 1999 movie “The Haunting”, “Ransom” and “Mystic Pizza” was born in 1967.

Peter Strauss the actor who starred on TV’s “Rich Man, Poor Man” was born in 1947.

Ivana Trump the socialite/entrepreneur best known for her marriage to Donald Trump was born in 1949.

Gloria Vanderbilt the renowned clothing designer was born in 1924.

We Said Goodbye To…

P.G.T. Beauregard the Confederate General during the Civil War passed away in 1893 at the age of 75.

Sandra Dee the actress best known for her role as “Gidget” passed away in 2005 at the age of 60.

Frederick Douglass the famed abolitionist passed away in 1895 at the age of 77.

Ferruccio Lamborghini the founder of the famed Lamborghini sports cars passed away in 1993 at the age of 76.

Ty Longley the guitarist for the rock band Great White was killed in a nightclub fire in 2003 at the age of 31.

Clarence Nash who is best remembered for being the voice of Donald Duck passed away in 1985 at the age of 80.

Gene Siskel who was one half of the movie reviewing duo “Siskel and Ebert” passed away in 1999 at the age of 53.

Hunter S. Thompson the author behind “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” died in 2005 at the age of 67.

Dick York the actor best known for being the first Darrin Stephens on TV’s “Bewitched” passed away in 1992 at the age of 63.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1965 - On The Country Charts – “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail” by Buck Owens
1982 - On The Country Charts – “Only One You” by T.G. Sheppard
1988 - On The Country Charts – “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star” by Merle Haggard
1988 - “Seasons Change” by Expose

Movie Moments In...

1921 - “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” starring Rudolph Valentino premiered.

1952 - “The African Queen” starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn was released.

Don’t forget about the Today In History Newsletter!






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