On February 20, 1685, about halfway between present day Houston & Corpus Christi, Texas, La Salle and members of his expedition established the settlement of Fort St. Louis. They originally intended to land at the mouth of the Mississippi River, but found themselves nearly 400 miles to the west. ​A print showing La Salle’s landing in Texas in 1685 Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions –>

On February 20, 1755, British General Edward Braddock arrived in Hampton, Virginia to take command of British forces in Colonial America. Less than five months later he was fatally shot at the Battle of the Monongahela. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

Mercury astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. looks into a Celestial Training Device (globe) during training in the Aeromedical Laboratory at Cape Canaveral, Florida. February 20, 1961 Image from NASA via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

John Glenn entering Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962 when he became the first American to orbit the Earth. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

On February 20, 1792, George Washington signed the Postal Service Act Image: 1 cent George Washington stamp from 1912 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

On today’s date February 20, 1987, David Hartman thanked America for welcoming him into their homes for more than eleven years on his final day as a regular host of ABC’s Good Morning America. Image: David Hartman & Nancy Dussault on Good Morning America in 1976 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

U.S. Navy officers in uniform of the USS Santee with mascot dogs at a dock in Devonport, England on February 20, 1918 –>

Sidney Poitier was born on February 20, 1927 in Miami, Florida Image: Claudia McNeil and Sidney Poitier in A Raisin in the Sun (play), 1959 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

A photo of a Navajo Woman and Infant, Canyon de Chelle, Arizona c. 1933-1942 by Ansel Adams American photographer Ansel Adams was born on February 20, 1902 in San Francisco, California. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

“Willie Lincoln, third son of President Lincoln. Died February 20, 1862…” The early label on this image says that Willie was 12 years old at the time of his death. However, since Willie was born in December 1850 he was only 11 years old when he passed away. Image via LOC, no known restrictions –>

On February 20, 1942, Lt. Commander Edward “Butch” O’Hare, USN was credited with saving his ship, the USS Lexington, when he and his wingman attacked a flight of nine Japanese bombers. For his bravery and skill O’Hare was awarded the Medal of Honor. Chicago’s airport is named in his memory. Image: NHC via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

President Reagan during an Oval Office meeting and working visit of Prime Minister Thatcher of the United Kingdom. February 20, 1985 Image via LOC, no known restrictions –>

Edward and Julius Koester at Camp Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina February 20, 1918 Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions –>

On February 20, 1839 Congress passed a law making it illegal to duel in the District of Columbia. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>

On February 20, 1872, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art – “The Met” opened. Eight years later its current location, at 1000 Fifth Avenue (shown in 1914) opened with 2 million square-feet of exhibition space. The Met is the most-visited museum in the US with a yearly attendance of over six million art lovers. Image from LOC via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. –>

On February 20, 1965, “This Diamond Ring” by Gary Lewis & the Playboys began its two week run as the #1 song in America. Image of Gary Lewis (the son of actor and comedian Jerry Lewis) & the Playboys in the 1960s via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. –>

The largest Civil War battle that was fought in Florida occurred on February 20, 1864 in Olustee, Florida. Image: Survivors of the Battle of Olustee, gathered at the Monument dedication in 1912 from Florida Memory via Wikimedia Commons, public domain –>