February 20: What significant events happened on this day in history?

February 20 in Ukraine is the Day of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. In 2014, on this day, at least 47 people died on Maidan, while the Russian Federation invaded Crimea. In 1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to complete an orbital space flight. In 1935, the first woman set foot on Antarctic soil. In 1905, writer Ulas Samchuk was born. In 1887, future Lieutenant General of the Ukrainian People's Army Alexander Udovichenko was born in Kharkiv. In 1054, Yaroslav the Wise passed away.

Holidays and Commemorative Dates on February 20

February 20 in Ukraine is the Day of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

Globally, it is the World Day of Social Justice and the International Day of People Who Overcame Alcoholism.

Additionally, today is: International Pipe Smokers' Day, World Information Management Day, and International Anthropology Day (both celebrated on the third Thursday of February).

February 20 in History

On February 20, 1054, the great Kyiv prince Yaroslav the Wise died in the arms of his son Vsevolod. Read more.

On February 20, 1887, future Lieutenant General of the Ukrainian People's Army and Vice President of the Ukrainian People's Republic in Exile Alexander Udovichenko was born in Kharkiv. Read more.

On February 20, 1905, writer Ulas Samchuk was born in the Rivne region. Read more.

On February 20, 1935, the first woman set foot on Antarctic land. Read more.

On February 20, 1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. He completed three orbits aboard the spacecraft "Friendship 7" in 4 hours and 55 minutes. Glenn had served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and later the Korean War since 1943, and afterward became a test pilot. In April 1959, he was selected as part of the so-called "Mercury Seven," a group of American astronauts preparing for the first human spaceflights under the Mercury program. Glenn was the oldest among his peers—he was already 38 when he joined the group, and by the time of his first space flight, he was 40. He was not the first American in space, having been preceded by two colleagues: Alan Shepard and Virgil Grissom. However, both had only completed suborbital flights (with speeds insufficient to achieve orbit). Thus, Glenn became the first American to complete three orbits around the planet. Soviet cosmonauts had already surpassed their competitors in this regard, having completed two orbital flights (Gagarin orbited the Earth once, spending 108 minutes in space; German Titov remained in orbit for over a day, completing 17 orbits).

However, several decades later, Glenn managed to surpass both his American colleagues and Soviet competitors, setting a personal space record that remains unbroken. In 1998, John became the oldest astronaut in the world, going to space at the age of 77 years and 103 days.

In addition to his flights, the astronaut achieved success in business and politics, having been elected multiple times to the U.S. Senate. John Glenn lived to be 95 years old and held a private pilot license until 2011, when he was already 90.

On February 20, 1986, the core module of the Soviet space station "Mir" was launched into orbit. Read more.

On February 20, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada designated August 24 as Independence Day of Ukraine. The decision to make this day a public holiday was later adopted by a separate resolution on June 5, 1992.

On February 20, 2014, the most tragic day of the Revolution of Dignity occurred, marked by the shooting of protesters on Instytutska Street. According to confirmed reports, 47 people lost their lives. Read more.

On February 20, 2014, it was officially recognized as the date marking the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine—the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Read more.

Church Holiday on February 20

On February 20, the memory of St. Leo, Bishop of Catania, and the righteous Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kyiv is honored. Read more.

Folk Omens

If snow has fallen and has not yet melted, it may indicate a poor harvest.

Snow with rain on February 20 predicts flooding.

If crows are bathing in puddles, warming weather is on the way.

What Not to Do on February 20

Do not argue, especially with loved ones.

Do not be envious.

Avoid planning new undertakings or making promises.