February 20 - The Day in History

February 20: General Interest 1985: Ireland allows sale of contraceptives In a highly controversial vote on February 20, 1985, the Irish government defies the powerful Catholic Church and approves the sale of contraceptives... read more American Revolution 1792 : Postal Service Act regulates United States Post Office Department http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/postal-service-act-regulates-united-states-post-office-department Automotive 1997 : Kramer on "Seinfeld" adopts a highway http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kramer-on-seinfeld-adopts-a-highway Civil War 1864 : Rebels defeat Yankees at the Battle of Olustee http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-olustee Cold War 1976 : SEATO disbands http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/seato-disbands Crime 1974 : Atlanta Constitution editor is kidnapped http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atlanta-constitution-editor-is-kidnapped Disaster 2003 : Rhode Island nightclub burns http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rhode-island-nightclub-burns General Interest 1725 : American colonists practice scalping http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-colonists-practice-scalping 1962 : An American orbits earth http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/an-american-orbits-earth 1986 : Chunnel plans announced http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/chunnel-plans-announced Hollywood 1992 : John Singleton nominated for Best Director Oscar http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-singleton-nominated-for-best-director-oscar Literary 1950 : Dylan Thomas arrives in New York http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dylan-thomas-arrives-in-new-york Music 2003 : Fire engulfs nightclub during Great White show http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-engulfs-nightclub-during-great-white-show Old West 1902 : Ansel Adams is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ansel-adams-is-born Presidential 1792 : George Washington signs the Postal Service Act http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-washington-signs-the-postal-service-act Sports 1998 : Tara Lipinski becomes youngest Olympic figure skating gold medalist http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tara-lipinski-becomes-youngest-olympic-figure-skating-gold-medalist Vietnam War 1968 : Hearings begin on American policy in Vietnam http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hearings-begin-on-american-policy-in-vietnam World War I 1919 : Amir of Afghanistan is assassinated http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/amir-of-afghanistan-is-assassinated World War II 1942 : Pilot O'Hare becomes first American WWII flying ace http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pilot-ohare-becomes-first-american-wwii-flying-ace