In History, Today on September 20

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, with a fleet of five ships, on what would become the first successful circumnavigation of the Earth.

The Battle of Alma took place during the Crimean War, marking the first major engagement between the allied British, French, and Ottoman forces against the Russian Empire.

Italian troops entered Rome, completing the unification of Italy and marking the end of the Papal States.

The first Cannes Film Festival was held, originally scheduled for 1939 but delayed due to World War II.

Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match, a significant event in the women's liberation movement.

A suicide bomber in a truck attacked the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 24 people, including two Americans.

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress and the American public, outlining the War on Terror and demanding that the Taliban hand over al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden.

A truck bomb exploded at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least 54 people and injuring over 260. The attack was attributed to Islamist militants and highlighted the ongoing security challenges in Pakistan.

The United States military policy known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' which barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service, was officially repealed, allowing them to serve openly.

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread devastation, significant loss of life, and a humanitarian crisis. The storm resulted in the longest blackout in U.S. history.

Millions of people around the world participated in the Global Climate Strike, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, to demand action on climate change.