Interactive timeline

20 March

Discover the events, people, discoveries and turning points connected to this date in history.

5 events found for 20 March

Events are ordered by year, starting with the earliest recorded item for this date.

1602

Trade Routes

Dutch East India Company dominates Indian Ocean trade

The Rise and Reach of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie The establishment of the Dutch East India Company on 20 March 1602 represented a fundamental shift in the mechanics of global commerce. By consolidating various smaller trading concerns into a single, state-chartered entity, the Dutch Republic created a powerful mechanism capable of projecting economic and military influence across vast...

1815

French Monarchs

Napoleon I Hundred Days

The spring of 1815 witnessed a dramatic and unexpected shift in the European political landscape as Napoleon I reclaimed his position at the helm of the French state. After his initial abdication and subsequent exile, the former emperor’s return to Paris on 20 March triggered a swift consolidation of authority that caught the established powers of the continent entirely off guard. This brief perio...

1816

Portuguese Monarchs

John VI

The accession of John VI to the throne in March 1816 followed a period of profound instability for the Portuguese monarchy, defined primarily by the upheaval of the Napoleonic Wars. Having served as Prince Regent for many years due to the incapacity of his mother, Queen Maria I, his formal ascent to the crown occurred while the royal court was still firmly established in Brazil . This relocation w...

1961

Theatre & Performance

Royal Shakespeare Company founded

The Birth of a National Institution The formal establishment of the Royal Shakespeare Company on 20 March 1961 represented a pivotal moment in the evolution of British theatre. By formalising its structure and mission, the organisation sought to move beyond the traditional staging of classic works, aiming instead to cultivate a permanent ensemble capable of interpreting Shakespearean drama for a c...

2003

Major Wars

Iraq War

The Iraq War , which commenced on 20 March 2003, stands as a defining conflict of the early twenty-first century, fundamentally altering the political landscape of the Middle East. Initiated by a coalition led by the United States and the United Kingdom , the invasion sought to dismantle the existing Iraqi regime and reshape the governance of the nation. This intervention was not merely a military...