On August 20, several holidays and significant events took place in the world and Kazakhstan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

Unique Holidays Around the World

One of the most unusual holidays in the world is celebrated on August 20 – World Laziness Day. Although not officially recognized, it is widely popular among people. The purpose of the holiday is not to praise lazy people but to effectively combat chronic fatigue syndrome and stress. The holiday originated in Itagui, an industrial center and densely populated city in Colombia. On this day, everyone rests, from crawling babies to elderly people.

In Hungary, it is St. Stephen's Day (founder of the Hungarian state). This is Hungary's main state holiday. In 1000, on August 20, Saint Stephen I ascended the throne, becoming the first king of Hungary. During Stephen's reign, Hungarians adopted Christianity, and the country was divided into administrative-territorial districts. In 1083, Stephen I was canonized, and Pope Gregory VII declared August 20 a holiday.

The pen of Eduard Uspensky, a man of vivid imagination and extraordinary talent, gave children the beloved character Cheburashka. In honor of this character, a children's holiday – Cheburashka's birthday – is celebrated.

Historical Events on August 20 in the World

  • 01In 1634, the first primer was published in Moscow.
  • 02In 1866, the National Labor Union in the USA demanded that Congress introduce an 8-hour workday. This was one of the important steps of the American labor movement.
  • 03In 1913, the first All-Russian Sports Olympiad took place in Kyiv.
  • 04In 1941, during World War II, Hitler ordered the creation of the "V" rocket.
  • 05In 1960, Senegal left the Mali Federation, thus forming an independent state.
  • 06In 1968, troops of the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia, halting the "Prague Spring" reforms.
  • 07In 1975, NASA launched the Viking 1 spacecraft to Mars. Later, it became the first spacecraft to successfully land on the Martian surface.
  • 08In 1988, the Iran-Iraq War ended: a ceasefire came into force on August 20. The war lasted about eight years.
  • 09In 1991, the Supreme Council of Estonia adopted a decision to restore the country's independence.

Historical Events on August 20 in Kazakhstan

  • 01In 1963, the Alma-Ata Institute of National Economy was founded.
  • 02In 1996, the Sh. Aimanov Kazakhfilm studio was split into two: the Sh. Aimanov Kazakh Film Factory and the National Production Center of Kazakhstan.
  • 03In 2003, with the support of the First President, the state chamber orchestra "Ak Zhauyn" was created.
  • 04In 2012, the Almaty cycling club was named after Olympic champion Alexander Vinokurov.
  • 05In 2012, Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands.
  • 06In 2016, the international center for cross-border cooperation "Khorgos" began operations.
  • 07In 2016, a monument to Turar Ryskulov was solemnly opened at the Shu locomotive depot.

Notable People Born on August 20

  • 01In 1601, French mathematician, lawyer, and philosopher Pierre de Fermat was born.
  • 02In 1833, Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the USA, was born.
  • 03In 1847, Polish writer, journalist, and feuilletonist Bolesław Prus was born.
  • 04In 1890, American writer, prominent representative of the fantasy genre, Howard Phillips Lovecraft was born.
  • 05In 1909, world chess champion Olga Rubtsova was born.
  • 06In 1932, Russian writer, playwright, and screenwriter Vasily Aksyonov was born.
  • 07In 1937, Soviet, Russian, and American director, screenwriter, public and political figure Andrei Konchalovsky was born.
  • 08In 1944, former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was born.
  • 09In 1953, Russian poet, actor, and TV presenter Vladimir Vishnevsky was born.
  • 10In 1974, American actress Amy Adams was born.

Who Was Born on August 20 in Kazakhstan

  • 01In 1928, Sultan Suleimenov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, was born.
  • 02In 1937, Uzakbay Karamanov, statesman and public figure, first Prime Minister of the Kazakh SSR, was born.
  • 03In 1938, writer, member of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan Sarsenbai Orazbek was born.
  • 04In 1952, Raisa Sher, secretary of the Advisory Council under the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, was born.
  • 05In 1959, writer, ethnologist, teacher, professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences Zhambyl Artykbaev was born.
  • 06In 1965, statesman and public figure Murat Abenov was born.
  • 07In 1974, famous journalist Arman Seitmamyt was born.