JUNE 20 | Birthdays and Events
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Notable Birthdays for June 20
Francis E. Warren (1844-1929) - The first Governor of Wyoming and decorated Civil War veteran (Union).
Alexander Winton (1860-1932) - Designer of the first gas running automobile
Ash Brownridge (1917-2015) - Conservationist and co-founder of the National Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife magazine.
Audie Murphy (1925-1971) - Considered the most decorated combat soldier of World War II (33 medals).
Brian Wilson (1942-2025) - Musician and co-founder of the Beach Boys.
Bob Vila (1946-Still Living) - This Old House host.
Lionel Richie (1949-Still Living) - Multi-award winning musician whose hits include Sail On, Three Times a Lady, My Love, All Night Long (All Night) and Hello.
John Goodman (1952-Still Living) - Acclaimed actor easily recognized by his role as Dan on Roseanne.
Memorable Events for June 20
1782 - Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States.
1840 - Samuel Morse patents his telegraph.
1863 - The National Bank of Davenport (Iowa)) becomes the first bank chartered in U.S.
1863 - West Virginia becomes the 35th state to join the Union.
1867 - President Johnson announces the purchase of Alaska.
1895 - Caroline Baldwin becomes the first female to earn a PhD in science from an American University (Cornell University).
1911 - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is incorporated in NY.
1945 - The Secretary of State approves the transfer of Nazi rocket scientists, Wernher von Braun and his team, to the U.S. under Operation Paperclip.
2003 - The Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia host) is founded Florida.