On This Day: September 20

September 20 has served as a backdrop for numerous transformative moments throughout history, ranging from political shifts and military conflicts to cultural milestones. Below are several notable events that occurred on this day.

1870 — Capture of Rome

The Italian unification process reached a major milestone when the Bersaglieri troops of the Kingdom of Italy breached the Aurelian Walls at Porta Pia. This event effectively ended the temporal power of the Pope and led to the incorporation of Rome into the Kingdom of Italy.

1977 — Vietnam and Djibouti Join the United Nations

The United Nations General Assembly officially admitted the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Djibouti as the 149th and 150th member states, respectively, marking a significant step in their international recognition.

1979 — Coup in the Central African Republic

In a dramatic shift of power, David Dacko led a successful coup to overthrow Emperor Jean-Bédel Bokassa, who had declared himself emperor of the Central African Empire in 1976. This event marked the end of the short-lived imperial regime.

1979 — Chrysler Corporation Elects Lee Iacocca

The Chrysler Corporation elected Lee Iacocca as its president. Iacocca, a former Ford executive, would go on to lead a historic turnaround of the struggling American automaker during the 1980s.

1984 — The Cosby Show Premieres

The sitcom "The Cosby Show," starring Bill Cosby, aired for the first time on NBC. The show became a cultural phenomenon and is credited with revitalizing the sitcom format in the 1980s.

2001 — President George W. Bush Declares War on Terror

Following the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush addressed a joint session of the United States Congress. During this historic speech, he officially declared a global "War on Terror," outlining a new era of American foreign and military policy.

2011 — End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The United States military officially ended the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which had been implemented in 1994 under the administration of Bill Clinton. The repeal allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel to serve openly in the armed forces.