Sunday, 20th December 1998 in Madrid
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Madrid! It's International Human Solidarity Day. Explore 45 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in Madrid. From remarkable moments in local and world history to the people who left their mark — find out what makes today special. Today's weather in Madrid brings drizzly with temperatures between 0°C and 11°C. Tonight's moon is in its full moon phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Sagittarius. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Sunday, 20th December in Madrid, ES.
On 20 December 1998, Madrid experienced drizzly conditions under a full moon, with the sun positioned in Sagittarius. The Spanish capital, situated on the Meseta Central plateau at approximately 646 metres above sea level, serves as both Spain's largest city and its administrative centre. The weather reflected typical December patterns for the region, creating overcast skies across the metropolitan area.
This date marked a period of significant global transitions. In 1999, just days later, Portugal would transfer sovereignty over Macau to China, ending over four centuries of Portuguese administration in the territory. The handover represented a watershed moment in post-colonial history, reshaping geopolitical dynamics in East Asia. Earlier in the decade, the NATO-led Implementation Force had commenced peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, responding to the devastation wrought by the Bosnian War and the subsequent Dayton Agreement.
Historical records show numerous pivotal moments occurring on this calendar date across different years. These events, ranging from military interventions to imperial transitions, underscore how particular dates can accumulate significance across centuries. Such historical patterns provide context for understanding the forces that shaped modern Europe and beyond.
DayAtlas displays weather conditions for any specified date and location, alongside comprehensive lists of significant events, notable births and deaths. Users can explore how specific dates have featured in historical records, combining meteorological and historical data in a single reference tool.
Find out what's happening today in Madrid.
What the Weather Had in Store for Madrid on 20th December 1998
Beauty hides where attention falls.
Fortune of the Day
20th December in the Stars – Star Sign Sagittarius
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on December 20th blend Sagittarian optimism with Martian drive and courage. They're passionate thinkers who actively champion their ideals. Their directness and adventurous spirit make them compelling yet sometimes provocative personalities.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths include fearlessness, intellectual curiosity, and inspiring presence. They act decisively and with conviction. Weaknesses include impatience, impulsive choices, and a tendency to cross boundaries without reflection.
Love In relationships, these individuals need freedom and mental engagement. They love passionately but not possessively. Partnerships thrive when both partners respect independence and embrace honest dialogue.
Caree & Finance Ideal careers blend adventure, learning, and meaningful impact—entrepreneurship, education, sports, or activism suit them well. Financially, they're optimistic but sometimes careless; building savings discipline helps secure their future.
Health These natives require physical challenges and mental stimulation to thrive. Intense sports, travel, and exploration keep them energized. Protecting against burnout from overactivity and prioritizing rest is essential.
That night, the moon was in its full moon phase.
Chinese year of the Tiger (Earth).
Fun Facts About 20th December
Name Days in Your Language: Ammon, Roxana, Roxanne, Roxie
Someone born on this day in 1998 would be 27 years old today — just 9,986 days into life, which is roughly 239,686 hours, 14,381,182 minutes, or 862,870,968 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 354. day of the year.
There are 11 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 51 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 20th December
- Facundo Pellistri, Uruguayan footballer (2001)
- Gaboro, Assyrian Swedish rapper and songwriter (died 2024) (2000)
- Kylian Mbappé, French footballer (1998)
- De'Aaron Fox, American basketball player (1997)
- Suzuka Nakamoto, Japanese singer (1997)
- Jarrod Bowen, English football player (1996)
- Anžejs Pasečņiks, Latvian basketball player (1995)
Lives Remembered on 20th December
- Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegalese poet and politician, 1st President of Senegal (born 1906) (2001)
- Riccardo Freda, Egyptian-Italian director and screenwriter (born 1909) (1999)
- Hank Snow, Canadian-American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1914) (1999)
- Alan Lloyd Hodgkin, English physiologist and biophysicist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1916) (1998)
- Denise Levertov, English-American poet and translator (born 1923) (1997)
- Dick Spooner, English cricketer (born 1919) (1997)
- Dawn Steel, American film producer (born 1946) (1997)
- Carl Sagan, American astronomer, astrophysicist, and cosmologist (born 1934) (1996)
- Madge Sinclair, Jamaican-American actress (born 1938) (1995)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 20th December
- Abolition of Slavery Day, also known as Fête des Cafres (Réunion, French Guiana)
- Bo Aung Kyaw Day (Myanmar)
- Christian feast day: Dominic of Silos
- Christian feast day: Blessed Michał Piaszczyński
- Christian feast day: O Clavis
- Christian feast day: Philogonius
- Christian feast day: Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne
- Christian feast day: Katharina von Bora (Lutheran)
- Christian feast day: December 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Earliest date for Winter solstice's eve (Northern Hemisphere), and its related observances: Yaldā (Iran)
- International Human Solidarity Day (International)
- Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (Macau)
What Happened on 20th December?
- Six people are killed and over 200 are injured when an anti-Islam activist drives a car into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. (2024)
- A mass stabbing occurs in a primary school in Zagreb, Croatia, in which a 7-year-old pupil is killed and six more are injured by a knife-wielding 19-year-old male. (2024)
- A Vega C rocket carrying two Pléiades Neo satellites fails after liftoff. (2022)
- The United States Space Force becomes the first new branch of the United States Armed Forces since 1947. (2019)
- Aerosucre Flight 157 crashes during takeoff from Germán Olano Airport in Puerto Carreño, Colombia, killing five people. (2016)
- Elizabeth II becomes the oldest monarch in the history of the United Kingdom, surpassing Queen Victoria, who lived for 81 years and 243 days. (2007)
- The Portrait of Suzanne Bloch (1904), by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, and O Lavrador de Café by Brazilian modernist painter Cândido Portinari, are stolen from the São Paulo Museum of Art in Brazil. Both will be recovered a few weeks later. (2007)
- A gang of thieves steal £26.5 million worth of currency from the Donegall Square West headquarters of Northern Bank in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, one of the largest bank robberies in British history. (2004)
- Macau is handed over to China by Portugal. (1999)
- American Airlines Flight 965, a Boeing 757, crashes into a mountain 50 km north of Cali, Colombia, killing 159 of the 163 people on board. (1995)