October 20th

Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi is killed by rebel troops in Surt, Libya, his hometown.

Luzhniki Disaster. A stampede during a UEFA Cup soccer (football) match between Dutch club Haarlem and the Moscovian football club, Spartak at the Lenin Stadium in Moscow left about 60 people dead.

During the Watergate scandal, Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William B. Ruckelshaus resigned and special prosecutor Archibald Cox was dismissed by President Nixon in what came to be known as the "Saturday Night Massacre.".

Jacqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis. Former American first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, married Greek shipping magnet, Aristotle Onassis

The 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, died in New York at age 90.

War Breaks Out Between India and China. The month-long border dispute began after the Chinese launched a two-pronged attack on the border between the two countries. During the duration of hostilities, China and India did not officially declare war on each other nor cut off any diplomatic ties. The conflict ended with China taking control of Aksai Chin and both countries accepting a de facto border along what is now known as Line of Control.

The U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee opened meetings about alleged Communist infiltration in the Hollywood film industry.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines, 30 months after he said 'I shall return.'.

Communist forces end their Long March at Yan'an, in Shaanxi, China, bringing Mao Zedong to prominence.

US President Lincoln formally establishes Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

The Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase.

Chinese uprising in Philippines fails after 23,000 killed.

1st Crusaders arrive in Antioch during the First Crusade.