20 April in history.

2008

Danica Patrick wins an IndyCar race. Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300, the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race.

Wikipedia: Danica Patrick

Photo: USDAgov / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 20 April

1. 

   1535

   The sun dog painting

   Strange rings and extra suns were seen in the sky over Stockholm. The painting made of the scene is the oldest known colour picture of the city.

   Wikipedia: VädersolstavlanWikipedia: Sun dog

   Photo: Jacob Heinrich Elbfas / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

2. 

   1862

   Germs don't appear from nowhere

   Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard finished an experiment showing that life does not spring up by itself in food. Germs come from other germs.

   Wikipedia: Louis PasteurWikipedia: Spontaneous generation

   Photo: Paul Nadar / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

3. 

   1902

   The Curies purify radium

   Marie and Pierre Curie, after years of hard work in a shed, produced pure radium chloride from tonnes of ore.

   Wikipedia: Marie CurieWikipedia: Pierre CurieWikipedia: Radium

   Photo: Henri Manuel / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

4. 

   1939

   Billie Holiday records Strange Fruit

   Billie Holiday recorded a haunting song against lynching. Many radio stations refused to play it, but it became a landmark of the civil rights movement.

   Wikipedia: Strange FruitWikipedia: Billie Holiday

   Photo: William P. Gottlieb / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.