In History, Today on March 20

The US Food and Drug Administration grants emergency use authorization for a rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test by Cepheid, which can deliver results in approximately 45 minutes.

Cyclone Idai makes landfall in Mozambique, causing widespread devastation and leading to a humanitarian crisis in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. The cyclone is considered one of the worst tropical cyclones to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere.

President Barack Obama becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba in 88 years, marking a significant step in the thawing of relations between the two countries.

A solar eclipse occurs, visible across parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It was a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely covered the Sun, as seen from the Faroe Islands and Svalbard.

The French gunman Mohamed Merah is killed by police after a 32-hour standoff in Toulouse, France. Merah was responsible for a series of shootings that resulted in the deaths of seven people, including three children, at a Jewish school.

The United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates the invasion of Iraq, marking the beginning of the Iraq War. The invasion was justified by the U.S. government on the grounds of eliminating weapons of mass destruction and ending Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism.

The Tokyo subway sarin attack was carried out by the Aum Shinrikyo cult, resulting in 13 deaths and thousands of injuries, highlighting the threat of domestic terrorism.

The Food and Drug Administration approves the anti-AIDS drug AZT, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar, later holding their famous 'Bed-In' for peace.

Tunisia gained independence from France, marking the end of French colonial rule and the beginning of a new era for the country.

General Douglas MacArthur, after evacuating from the Philippines during World War II, made his famous statement: 'I shall return'.

The Dachau concentration camp, the first of the Nazi concentration camps, was completed and opened in Germany.

The USS Langley (CV-1), the United States Navy's first aircraft carrier, was commissioned, marking a significant development in naval aviation.

Albert Einstein published his general theory of relativity, revolutionizing the understanding of gravity and physics.

The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was signed, establishing an international agreement for the protection of intellectual property.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was published, becoming a significant anti-slavery work that fueled abolitionist movements in the United States.

Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping from exile on the island of Elba, beginning the Hundred Days period that led to the Battle of Waterloo.

The Great Fire of Boston destroyed 349 buildings, significantly impacting the city and leading to changes in building regulations.

The Dutch East India Company was established, marking the beginning of a major period of Dutch colonial expansion and trade dominance.

The Linköping Bloodbath, execution of five nobles after the War against Sigismund by order of Duke Charles.

Henry IV of England died, leading to the accession of his son, Henry V.

According to older historiography, the Fall of Urkund took place when the new colonial power transferred control to the local Urkund feudal leader.

Pope Clement III died. He played a significant role in mediating between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily, and also launched the Third Crusade in an effort to reclaim the Holy Land for Christendom.

The Siege of Paris by Viking forces begins, marking a significant event in the Viking invasions of the Frankish Empire.

The Battle of Tertry takes place, where Pepin of Herstal defeats Theuderic III, consolidating his power over the Frankish territories.

Emperor Tenmu of Japan decrees the establishment of the first official calendar in Japan, based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

The Battle of Badr takes place, a key battle in early Islamic history where the Prophet Muhammad's forces defeated the Quraysh of Mecca.

Maximinus Thrax is proclaimed Roman Emperor, marking the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century.