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American history, reported as it happened
Made for the 250thOn this day › September 20
What happened on September 20 in American history
September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (the 264th in leap years). Patriot Compass has published 6 stories from September 20 spanning 1848 to 2011. Among them: in 1848, Scientists regroup as a national body: the American Association for the Advancement of Science forms in Philadelphia; and in 1881, Arthur takes the oath before dawn, in his own parlor.
1848Member story · 1776 Club
Scientists regroup as a national body: the American Association for the Advancement of Science forms in Philadelphia
Seventy-eight members sign on, and William Charles Redfield takes the chair as the new society's first president.
1881
Arthur takes the oath before dawn, in his own parlor
A New York judge administers the presidency at 2:15 in the morning, hours after Garfield dies of his wounds.
1973Member story · 1776 Club
King dispatches Riggs in three sets before 30,000 at the Astrodome
The 29-year-old outplays the 55-year-old hustler he built his comeback on beating women.
1984
A van bomb tears into the US embassy annex at Aukar, killing 23
Guards' gunfire kept the van from reaching the building; it still detonated close enough to rip off the front wall.
2001
Bush tells Congress: this is a war on terror, and it starts with al Qaeda
Nine days after the towers fell, the president draws a line meant to reach far past Afghanistan.
2011Member story · 1776 Club
Midnight passes, and gay service members no longer have to hide
A 17-year ban on open service ends after a 60-day countdown set by Obama, Panetta, and Mullen.
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