On this day

20 November in history.

5 moments from 1789 to 1998: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

The Zarya module floating in space above Earth.

1998

The first piece of the space station is launched. Zarya, the first module of the International Space Station, lifted off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.

Wikipedia: Zarya (ISS module)

Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 20 November

  1. 1789

    New Jersey approves the Bill of Rights first

    Of all the U.S. states, New Jersey was quickest to give its approval to the Bill of Rights.

    Wikipedia: New JerseyWikipedia: United States Bill of Rights

  2. Painting of Ludwig van Beethoven holding a music manuscript.

    1805

    Beethoven's Fidelio premieres

    Fidelio, the only opera Beethoven ever wrote, was performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    Wikipedia: Ludwig van BeethovenWikipedia: FidelioWikipedia: Vienna

    Photo: Joseph Karl Stieler / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. 1959

    The UN declares the rights of the child

    Children everywhere gained a statement of their rights when the United Nations agreed on the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

    Wikipedia: Declaration of the Rights of the ChildWikipedia: United Nations

  4. 1985

    Windows 1.0 goes on sale

    Microsoft released Windows 1.0, the first version of Windows that the public could buy.

    Wikipedia: Windows 1.0Wikipedia: Microsoft Windows

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