The New York Times sent the first successful telegram around the world. Relayed through 16 different communication stations, the message took just under 16 minutes to complete the journey. This event illustrated the power of global communication networks and how quickly information could traverse the globe, a milestone for the telegraph.
1911 – First Around-the-World Telegram Sent
Ronald Ross, a British doctor, discovered on August 20 that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. This discovery radically changed the approach to fighting the disease and earned Ross the Nobel Prize in Medicine. His findings laid the foundation for major advancements in tropical medicine and malaria control efforts globally.
1897 – Ronald Ross Discovers Malaria Transmission
Danish explorer Vitus Bering, commissioned by Russia, reached the Alaskan coast on August 20, 1741, during the Great Northern Expedition. His exploration helped map much of the North Pacific and established Russia’s claims in North America, which lasted until the U.S. purchased Alaska in 1867.
1741 – Vitus Bering Reaches Alaska
Johan de Witt, a prominent Dutch statesman, and his brother Cornelis were brutally lynched by an angry mob in The Hague on August 20, 1672. The mob blamed the brothers for the country's failures during the Franco-Dutch War, leading to a violent political shift in favor of the House of Orange.
1672 – Johan de Witt Lynched by Dutch Mob
On August 20, 1888, William Seward Burroughs patented the first successful adding machine in the United States. This invention automated basic arithmetic tasks, revolutionizing office work by speeding up calculations. Burroughs' company later became one of the early pioneers in business computing technology.
