Wednesday, 20th May 1942 in Paris
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Paris! It's World Bee Day and World Metrology Day. Explore 61 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in Paris. 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 Paris brings rainy with temperatures between 10°C and 21°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning gibbous phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Taurus. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Wednesday, 20th May in Paris, FR.
On 20 May 1942, Paris lay under rainy skies as much of Europe remained locked in the grip of the Second World War. The French capital, once the centre of continental culture and commerce, had endured German occupation since 1940 and would continue to do so for another two years. The city's inhabitants navigated daily life under strict military administration, their movements constrained and their resources rationed.
The date itself carries historical significance beyond that single wartime moment. In 1941, German paratroopers had begun the Battle of Heraklion on the island of Crete, capturing the airfield and port in Heraklion ten days later in a decisive operation that reshaped Mediterranean warfare. Decades later, in 1927, the Treaty of Jeddah would see the United Kingdom recognise the sovereignty of King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia over Hejaz and Nejd, territories that subsequently merged to form the modern Saudi state and reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
Those born on this date would find themselves under the influence of Taurus, the zodiacal sign governing stability and persistence. The moon hung in its waning gibbous phase, declining from its full brightness towards the new moon. Weather conditions across much of Europe remained changeable, with rain persisting in cities like Paris.
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What the Weather Had in Store for Paris on 20th May 1942
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Fortune of the Day
20th May in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on 20 May blend Taurus steadiness with Mercurial intellect, creating thoughtful communicators grounded in practicality. They navigate life with deliberation, appreciating both sensory pleasures and mental stimulation. This combination generates quiet confidence and genuine interest in others.
Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths include patience, clear thinking, and natural charm from Venus influence. Weaknesses involve occasional stubbornness, overthinking through Mercury, and resistance to change. Finding balance between analytical mind and intuitive body requires awareness.
Love These natives seek sensual, lasting partnerships with genuine conversation. They value both physical intimacy and intellectual engagement equally. Loyalty is non-negotiable—they expect commitment and offer unwavering dedication in return.
Caree & Finance Professionally, they excel where communication meets patience: teaching, negotiation, craftsmanship, writing. Financially shrewd and methodical, they steadily build security. Analytical nature prevents impulsive decisions but may cause missed opportunities.
Health Moderate, consistent movement suits their bodies best. Mental peace matters as much as physical exercise—overthinking disrupts nervous system balance. Enjoying food mindfully, combined with gentle routine, sustains long-term wellbeing.
That night, the moon was in its waning gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Horse (Water).
Fun Facts About 20th May
Name Days in Your Language: Bernadette, Bernardina, Bernardine, Bernetta, Bernita
Someone born on this day in 1942 would be 83 years old today — just 30,640 days into life, which is roughly 735,381 hours, 44,122,892 minutes, or 2,647,373,521 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 140. day of the year.
There are 225 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 21 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 20th May
- Vladimiro Montesinos, Peruvian intelligence officer (1945)
- Joe Cocker, English singer-songwriter (died 2014) (1944)
- Boudewijn de Groot, Indonesian-Dutch singer-songwriter and guitarist (1944)
- Keith Fletcher, English cricketer and manager (1944)
- Dietrich Mateschitz, Austrian businessman, co-founder of Red Bull GmbH (died 2022) (1944)
- Pekka Siitoin, Finnish neo-Nazi and Satanist (d. 2003) (1944)
- Albano Carrisi, Italian singer, actor, and winemaker (1943)
- Deryck Murray, Trinidadian cricketer (1943)
- Raymond Chrétien, Canadian lawyer and diplomat, Canadian Ambassador to the United States (1942)
- Lynn Davies, Welsh sprinter and long jumper (1942)
Lives Remembered on 20th May
- George Wendt, American actor and comedian (born 1948) (2025)
- Ivan Boesky, American stock trader (born 1937) (2024)
- Roger Angell, American sportswriter and author (born 1920) (2022)
- Susan Roces, Filipino actress (born 1941) (2022)
- Gary Wilson, American anti-pornography activist (born 1956) (2021)
- Niki Lauda, Austrian race car driver (born 1949) (2019)
- Kho Jabing, Malaysian convicted murderer who was executed by hanging in Singapore (born 1984) (2016)
- Bob Belden, American saxophonist, composer, and producer (born 1956) (2015)
- Femi Robinson, Nigerian actor and playwright (born 1940) (2015)
- Sandra Bem, American psychologist and academic (born 1944) (2014)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 20th May
- Christian feast day: Abercius and Helena
- Christian feast day: Alcuin of York
- Christian feast day: Aurea of Ostia
- Christian feast day: Austregisilus
- Christian feast day: Baudilus
- Christian feast day: Bernardino of Siena
- Christian feast day: Ivo of Chartres
- Christian feast day: Lucifer of Cagliari
- Christian feast day: Sanctan
- Christian feast day: May 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Day of Remembrance (Cambodia)
- Emancipation Day (Florida)
- European Maritime Day (European Council)
- Independence Restoration Day, celebrates the independence of East Timor from Indonesia in 2002.
- Josephine Baker Day (NAACP)
- National Awakening Day (Indonesia), and its related observances: Indonesian Doctor Day (Indonesia)
- National Day (Cameroon)
- World Bee Day
- World Metrology Day
- Doug the Pug Day (Nashville, Tennessee)
What Happened on 20th May?
- Russo-Ukrainian war: Russia claims full control of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after a nearly three-month siege. (2022)
- The International System of Units (SI): The base units are redefined, making the international prototype of the kilogram obsolete. (2019)
- The government of Singapore authorised the controversial execution of convicted murderer Kho Jabing for the murder of a Chinese construction worker despite the international pleas for clemency, notably from Amnesty International and the United Nations. (2016)
- An EF5 tornado strikes the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, killing 24 people and injuring 377 others. (2013)
- At least 27 people are killed and 50 others injured when a 6.0-magnitude earthquake strikes northern Italy. (2012)
- Mamata Banerjee is sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, the first woman to hold this post. (2011)
- An Indonesian Air Force Lockheed L-100 Hercules crashes in Magetan Regency, killing 99. (2009)
- The independence of East Timor is recognized by Portugal, formally ending 23 years of Indonesian rule and three years of provisional UN administration (Portugal itself is the former colonizer of East Timor until 1976). (2002)
- Civil rights: The Supreme Court of the United States rules in Romer v. Evans against a law that would have prevented any city, town or county in the state of Colorado from taking any legislative, executive, or judicial action to protect the rights of gays and lesbians. (1996)
- The first post-Communist presidential and parliamentary elections are held in Romania. (1990)