March 20th marks the official start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, but this date has witnessed far more than just seasonal transitions. Throughout history, March 20th has been a day of significant political decisions, cultural milestones, and world-changing innovations. From revolutionary publications to military campaigns, the events of this day have shaped our modern world in profound ways. Let’s explore five remarkable historical events that occurred on March 20th, plus a special bonus event connected to Utica, New York.
1. The Iraq War Begins (2003)
Context and Impact
On March 20, 2003, the United States and coalition forces launched “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” marking the beginning of the Iraq War. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair justified the invasion based on intelligence claiming Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a threat to international security.
The invasion led to the rapid defeat of the Iraqi military and the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime. However, the aftermath proved far more complex than anticipated. The WMDs that served as the primary justification for the war were never found, leading to widespread criticism and debate over the legitimacy of the invasion.
The consequences of the Iraq War continue to reverberate today. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life, widespread displacement of civilians, and extensive damage to Iraq’s infrastructure. It also led to a prolonged insurgency, sectarian violence, and the eventual rise of extremist groups like ISIS. The war fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and had profound implications for U.S. foreign policy.
2. Albert Einstein Publishes His General Theory of Relativity (1916)
Context and Impact
On March 20, 1916, Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking paper “The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity” was published, revolutionizing our understanding of gravity and the fabric of space-time. This theory extended his earlier work on special relativity and provided a new framework for understanding gravitational forces.
Einstein’s general theory proposed that massive objects cause a curvature in space-time, which we perceive as gravity. This radical departure from Newton’s concept of gravity as a force acting at a distance fundamentally changed physics and our understanding of the universe.
The publication of the general theory of relativity had profound implications for science and technology. It led to predictions about gravitational waves, black holes, and the bending of light around massive objects—all of which have since been confirmed through observation. Today, the theory remains essential to modern physics and has practical applications in technologies we use daily, such as GPS systems, which must account for relativistic effects to function accurately.
3. The Republican Party Is Founded (1854)
Context and Impact
On March 20, 1854, a group of anti-slavery activists gathered in Ripon, Wisconsin, to form what would become the Republican Party. The party was established in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for the expansion of slavery into new territories—a move that many Northerners strongly opposed.
The founding of the Republican Party marked a significant shift in the American political landscape. The party quickly gained support from abolitionists, former Whigs, and Free Soilers, uniting them under a common platform opposing the spread of slavery. This coalition represented a powerful new force in American politics.
The party’s rise to prominence was swift, culminating in the election of Abraham Lincoln as the first Republican president in 1860. Lincoln’s election and the party’s anti-slavery stance were pivotal factors leading to the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War. The Republican Party’s formation fundamentally altered the course of American history, playing a crucial role in the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union.
4. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” Is Published (1852)
Context and Impact
On March 20, 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s influential novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was published, becoming an immediate bestseller and a powerful force in the abolitionist movement. The novel depicted the harsh realities of slavery and humanized enslaved people, evoking strong emotional responses from readers across America and beyond.
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” sold hundreds of thousands of copies in its first year alone. Its vivid portrayal of the brutality of slavery and the moral struggles of its characters resonated with a wide audience, bringing the issue of slavery to the forefront of public consciousness. The book’s impact was so significant that when President Abraham Lincoln met Stowe during the Civil War, he reportedly greeted her as “the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.”
The novel’s influence extended far beyond American shores, as it was translated into multiple languages and read worldwide. It helped shape international perceptions of American slavery and contributed to growing global condemnation of the institution. Through its powerful storytelling and compelling characters, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” became a landmark work in American literature and played a crucial role in the fight against slavery.
5. The Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack (1995)
Context and Impact
On March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult carried out a coordinated terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway system. Cult members released the deadly nerve agent sarin on five separate subway trains during the morning rush hour, targeting lines that passed through the government district of Tokyo.
The attack killed 14 people and injured more than 1,000 others, making it one of the most significant acts of domestic terrorism in Japan’s history. The perpetrators had carefully planned the attack, placing packages containing sarin on trains that converged at Kasumigaseki station, the location of many government offices.
The Tokyo subway attack had profound implications for Japanese society and security measures worldwide. It exposed vulnerabilities in public transportation systems and led to increased security measures globally. In Japan, the attack shattered the nation’s sense of safety and prompted a reevaluation of how the country dealt with religious cults and extremist groups. The incident remains a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of extremist ideologies and the importance of vigilance in public spaces.
Bonus: The Erie Canal and Utica’s Historic Connection (1817)
Context and Impact
While not specifically on March 20th, a pivotal moment in Utica’s history occurred on March 20, 1817, when the New York State Legislature approved funding for the construction of the Erie Canal—a decision that would transform Utica from a small settlement into a thriving industrial center. This legislative approval set in motion one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the 19th century, with construction beginning just months later in Rome, NY, near Utica.
The Erie Canal played a crucial role in Utica’s development. The city, strategically located along the canal route, became a major transportation hub and manufacturing center. The canal allowed goods to be transported from Utica to New York City in a fraction of the time it had previously taken, making it an ideal location for industry and commerce. Textiles, machinery, and brewing were among the industries that flourished in Utica thanks to the canal’s accessibility.
Perhaps most significantly, the Erie Canal brought waves of immigrants to Utica, fundamentally shaping the city’s cultural identity. The canal provided a means of transportation for immigrants seeking work and opportunity in upstate New York. Many of these immigrants were Irish laborers who initially came to help construct the canal in 1817, followed by German and Italian immigrants who arrived via the completed waterway. These diverse communities established neighborhoods, churches, and cultural institutions that continue to influence Utica’s character today.
Today, Utica celebrates this rich canal heritage through various events and historic sites. On March 20, 2025, the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica will host a special “Historic Happy Hour” at the Dinghy Bar on Plant Street, commemorating the canal’s impact on the city’s development and honoring the bicentennial of this engineering marvel that forever changed Utica’s destiny.
March 20th has witnessed events that have profoundly shaped our world—from the publication of revolutionary literature to the beginning of controversial military campaigns. These moments remind us that history is made not just through grand gestures but through ideas, innovations, and human decisions that ripple through time.
For Utica, New York, the legacy of the Erie Canal decision made in March 1817 continues to influence the city’s identity and development. As we reflect on these historical events, we gain a deeper appreciation for how past decisions continue to shape our present and future.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the events that have occurred on this day, March 20th offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex tapestry of human history—both globally and in the unique context of Utica, New York.
