May 20
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Featured Event
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On this day in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis were granted a patent for trousers reinforced with rivets—the origin of what we now call “jeans.” Strauss provided the money, and Davis, a tailor whose hard-working clients needed durable pants, came up with the design. Blue jeans have since become a wardrobe staple. [Read today’s edition of Today in History > >]
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
Culver Pictures
Born this day in 1908, American actor James Stewart was one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, known for his portrayals of diffident but morally resolute characters, perhaps most notably in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).
Famous Birthdays
More on May 20
Official White House photo by Pete Souza
2015
David Letterman—who redefined American talk shows with his unconventional humour and innovative segments—stepped down as host of the Late Show with David Letterman. [Test your knowledge of pop culture.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
2002
East Timor officially became independent. [Take our countries of the world quiz.]
Emettmcginty
1946
American singer and actress Cher, who was known for her flamboyant style, was born. [Test your knowledge of actors and acting.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1902
Cuba gained its independence from the United States, which had taken control of the island in 1899 after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War. [Take our quiz about the United States and Cuba.]
Image: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1882
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy secretly formed the Triple Alliance, a treaty organization that provided for mutual protection against attacks by other European powers until Italy entered World War I. [Sort fact from fiction in our World War I quiz.]
Image: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1873
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis were granted a patent for using copper rivets to strengthen certain areas of trousers, notably pocket corners; the patent was credited with giving rise to blue jeans. [Test your knowledge of fashion.]
Billdorr
1862
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, which provided 160 acres of public land virtually free of charge to those who had lived on and cultivated the land for at least five years.
© London Stereoscopic Company—Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1806
Economist and philosopher John Stuart Mill was born in London. [How much do you know about economics?]
J.E. Bulloz
1799
French author Honoré de Balzac—considered one of the greatest fiction writers and best known for a collection of novels and short stories collectively called La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy)—was born. [Test your knowledge of French literature.]
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1784
The Netherlands yielded to Great Britain some of its holdings in India and Indonesia in a treaty signed as part of the Peace of Paris, a collection of treaties that concluded the American Revolution. [Take our quiz about the American Revolution.]