Today in History: 7 historic events on April 20

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – On this historic date: April 20.

2021 – Death of Chadian military leader and politician Idriss Déby Itnos – Itno ruled Chad after seizing power in 1990 until his death in 2021. He was the head of the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement and died at the hands of militant forces while commanding troops on the front in 2021.

2010 – Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill – The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico after a surge of natural gas blew through a recently installed concrete core to seal an oil well for later use. The spill left 11 dead and 17 injured. Birds were particularly vulnerable to the effects of the oil, and many died from ingesting the oil while trying to clean themselves or because the substance interfered with their ability to regulate their body temperature.

2008 – Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300 – At 26, Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300 – her 50th IndyCar Series race – at Twin Ring Montegi, a 1.5-mile oval track. As a result, she became the first woman to win a US-sanctioned major open-wheel race. She finished the 200-lap race 5.8594 seconds ahead of then two-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves.

1999 – Columbine High School Shooting — Around 11:19 a.m., 18-year-old Eric Harris and 17-year-old Dylan Klebold began shooting at their classmates outside Columbine High School, located in a suburb south of Denver. The couple then went inside the school, where they were shot by several of their victims in the library. They killed 13 people and injured 24.

1971 – Supreme Court declares bus desegregation constitutional – The United States Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that bus transportation for the purpose of desegregation is constitutional. The resolution in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education settled the constitutional issue and enabled widespread implementation of the bus, which remained contested for the next 10 years.

1916 – United States Wrigley Field – The Cubs played their first home game at the park. They beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings. Since 1916, Wrigley Field has been home to the Cubs and is one of the oldest and most iconic Major League Baseball parks in America.

1914 – Ludlow Massacre – About 10,000 miners in Ludlow, Colorado were on strike to protest low wages and appalling working conditions in the Colorado coalfields. Men, women and children were killed when violence broke out between the militia and striking miners.