October 20

Sunday 20, 1991:

The Oakland Hills firestorm kills 25 and destroys 3469 homes and apartments, causing more than $2 billion in damage.

Monday 20, 1986:

1989 - Brisbane bound coach collides with Semi - Traler North of Grafton NSW (Grafton Bus Crash)

Wednesday 20, 1982:

St. Louis Cardinals defeat Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 to win 9th World Series Championship.

Thursday 20, 1977:

A plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd crashes in Mississippi, killing several band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines.

Saturday 20, 1973:

The Six Million Dollar Man premieres on ABC.

Wednesday 20, 1971:

The Nepal stock exchange collapses.

Sunday 20, 1968:

Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy marries Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

Thursday 20, 1955:

Publication of The Return of the King, being the last part of The Lord of the Rings

Monday 20, 1947:

The House Un-American Activities Committee begins its investigation into Communist infiltration of Hollywood, resulting in a blacklist that prevents some from working in the industry for years.

Friday 20, 1944:

Liquid natural gas leaks from storange tanks in Cleveland, then explodes; the explosion and resulting fire level 30 blocks and kill 130.

Sunday 20, 1935:

The Long March ends

Saturday 20, 1883:

Peru and Chile signed the Treaty of Ancón, by which the Tarapacá province was ceded to the latter, bringing an end to Peru's involvement in the War of the Pacific.

Saturday 20, 1827:

a combined Turkish and Egyptian armada is destroyed by an allied British, French, and Russian naval force in the port of Navarino in Pylos, Greece. The most important result of this battle is the end of the Greek Liberation War and the affirmation of independence of modern Greece.

Thursday 20, 1803:

United States Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase

Thursday 20, 1740:

Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony refuse to honour the Pragmatic Sanction and the War of the Austrian Succession begins.

More on October, 20

• People Born on October, 20
• They left us on October, 20