April 20 in History

• 1715

  April 20, 1715:

  A play by English writer, Nicholas Rowe, titled "The Tragedy of Lady Jane Grey" is first performed. The event took place in London.

• 1777

  April 20, 1777:

  The city of New York agrees to a new constitution as it seeks to become an independent state. The document included the state’s own Constitutional Law, as well as, the declaration of their independence from their British rulers.

• 1785

  April 20, 1785:

  King George III appoints Thomas Warton as British Poet Laureate. Warton is known for his numerous works including “The Pleasures of Melancholy”.

• 1799

  April 20, 1799:

  Friedrich von Schiller's series of plays titled "Wallensteins Tod" makes its first showing. The theatrical work is made up of dramas like “The Piccolomini (Die Piccolomini)” and “Wallenstein's Camp (Wallensteins Lager)”.

• 1887

  April 20, 1887:

  Le Velocipede, a French newspaper, organizes the world’s first-ever motor race. Georges Bouton, who rode a quadricycle, would go on to win the event.

• 1920

  April 20, 1920:

  The popular radio program titled “Big Show” comes to an end after two years of running. The show was aired on the NBC radio network. It featured top talents like Milton Berle, Gloria Swanson, and Louis Armstrong.

• 1931

  April 20, 1931:

  Celebrated American composer and trumpeter, Louis Armstrong, releases "When It's Sleepy Time Down South". The song was used in Nina Mae McKinney’s movie titled “Safe in Hell by”.

• 1968

  April 20, 1968:

  Rock band, Deep Purple, performs on stage for the first time. The group comprises of musicians like Nick Simper, Jon Lord, and Ritchie Blackmore.

• 1972

  April 20, 1972:

  "Lord Byron", an opera by Virgil Thomson, premieres in New York City. It is Thomson's last work.

• 1993

  April 20, 1993:

  Canadian songwriter and singer, Shania Twain, releases eponymous first album. It contains hit songs like "Dance with the One That Brought You" and "What Made You Say That".