A closer look at key historic events that took place on July 20:

In 1976, the Viking 1 lander touched down on Mars

NASA’s Viking 1 lander successfully touched down on Mars on July 20, becoming the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the Red Planet and send back images. The mission’s primary objective was to search for signs of life and to study the Martian surface and atmosphere. Viking 1 provided a wealth of scientific data, transforming our understanding of Mars.

In 1974, Turkey invades Cyprus

Turkey launched a military invasion of Cyprus in response to a coup d’état by Greek Cypriot nationalists aimed at annexing the island to Greece. The invasion led to the division of Cyprus into a Turkish-occupied northern part and a Greek Cypriot-controlled southern part, a situation that remains unresolved today.

In 1969, the first Moon landing is successful

NASA’s Apollo 11 mission achieved the historic first manned moon landing. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface, with Armstrong famously declaring, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration and showcased the technological prowess of the United States during the space race.

In 1944, an assassination attempt on Hitler fails

A group of German military officers led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler in what became known as the July 20 plot. The plan involved placing a bomb in Hitler’s briefing room, but the explosion failed to kill the Nazi leader. The plot’s failure resulted in severe reprisals, with many conspirators executed or forced to commit suicide, further consolidating Hitler’s control over Germany.

In 1917, the Corfu Declaration is issued

The Corfu Declaration outlined the foundation for the creation of a unified Yugoslav state. Drafted by representatives of the Kingdom of Serbia and the Yugoslav Committee, the declaration called for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy that would unite Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. This pivotal document laid the groundwork for the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in 1918, later renamed Yugoslavia.