1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919
1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929
1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939
1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949
1 Jan 1920
- Andrew McNaughton was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. ww2dbase [Andrew McNaughton | CPC]
Byelorussia
- The Byelorussian Communist Organization was founded as a separate party. ww2dbase [CPC]
Photo(s) dated 1 Jan 1920
8 Jan 1920
Romania
- Crown Prince Carol's son Prince Mircea Gregor Carol Lambrino was born in Bucharest, Romania. ww2dbase [Carol II | Bucharest | CPC]
10 Jan 1920
- Georg von Bismarck was transferred to the German 5th Infantry Regiment. ww2dbase [Georg von Bismarck | CPC]
14 Jan 1920
- In Siberia, Russia, one of Semenov's armoured trains opened fire at night on a American troop train at Verkhne Udinsk; the Americans then captured the armoured train and arrested seven Cossack officers and forty-eight men, who confessed under interrogation that they had murdered fifty civilians over the past few days. ww2dbase [AC]
19 Jan 1920
United States
- The United States Senate voted against joining the League of Nations. ww2dbase [Washington | CPC]
21 Jan 1920
- USS R-5 joined the US Navy winter exercises in the Gulf of Mexico. ww2dbase [R-5 | CPC]
France
- The Paris Peace Conference ended. ww2dbase [Paris | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 21 Jan 1920
23 Jan 1920
- The Americans commenced their withdrawal from Siberia, Russia; turning over their Cossack prisoners to the Czechs, but the latter were forced to release them under the threat of action by the Japanese. ww2dbase [AC]
1 Feb 1920
- The South African air arm was created out of a squadron (1. The Suid Afrikaanse Lugmag) that had been attached to the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War. ww2dbase [AC]
4 Feb 1920
- Pierre van Ryneveld and Quintin Brand departed England on a flight to South Africa. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 4 Feb 1920
5 Feb 1920
United Kingdom
- The world's first Military Air Academy was established at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom to train officer cadets for the British Royal Air Force. ww2dbase [Cranwell, England | AC]
7 Feb 1920
- Vice-Admiral Aleksandr Vasilevitch Kolchak, one-time Supreme Ruler of Russia, was taken from his cell to a place on the bank of the Angara River in Siberia, and there with Victor Pepelyaev, was shot by an execution squad and his body pushed through a hole in the ice. Representatives of the Czech Legion signed an agreement with Smirnov guaranteeing the evacuation of all Czech personnel and their equipment from Russian soil, in return for their non-intervention of the Bolshevik treatment of Kolchak and his staff. ww2dbase [AC]
14 Feb 1920
United States
- Clifton Cates was made the aide-de-camp to Major General George Barnett in Washington DC, United States. ww2dbase [Clifton Cates | Washington | CPC]
21 Feb 1920
United States
24 Feb 1920
- Adolf Hitler made the Twenty-Five Theses speech in Munich, Germany. ww2dbase [Adolf Hitler | CPC]
25 Feb 1920
- Ernst Udet married Eleanor Zink. ww2dbase [Ernst Udet | CPC]
11 Mar 1920
Germany
- Eleonore Baur was arrested for disturbing the peace following an anti-Semitic speech at a women's rally in München (Munich), Germany. ww2dbase [Eleonore Baur | München | CPC]
16 Mar 1920
Germany
- Adolf Hitler took his first flight traveling from Augsburg for Berlin, Germany. The aircraft ran out of fuel unexpectedly and had to make an emergency landing before reaching Berlin. ww2dbase [Adolf Hitler | Augsburg | CPC]
18 Mar 1920
Germany
- Adolf Hitler departed Berlin, Germany after a planned coup failed to start. ww2dbase [Adolf Hitler | Berlin | CPC]
24 Mar 1920
Japan
- Tsuji Masanobu completed his studies at a military academy in Nagoya, Japan; he received a silver watch from Crown Prince Hirohito for this achievement. ww2dbase [Masanobu Tsuji | Nagoya, Aichi | CPC]
31 Mar 1920
Germany
Russia
1 Apr 1920
- The German Workers Party (DAP) was officially renamed the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP). ww2dbase [CPC]
- The last American ground troops sailed from Vladivostock, Russia to the considerable relief of the State Department, leaving only units of the US Navy in the harbour. ww2dbase [AC]
Japan
14 Apr 1920
- USS R-5 completed the US Navy winter exercises in the Gulf of Mexico. ww2dbase [R-5 | CPC]
17 Apr 1920
Germany
- Walther von Brauchitsch was awarded the Service Award for 25 years of military service. ww2dbase [Walther von Brauchitsch | CPC]
24 Apr 1920
- Marshal Pilsudski, the Polish leader, signed a treaty with Simon Petlyura promising Ukrainian independence in return for military help in crushing the Bolsheviks. ww2dbase [AC]
25 Apr 1920
- Four Polish armies under the command of Marshal Pilsudski marched into the Ukraine. ww2dbase [AC]
27 Apr 1920
Azerbaijan
- Bruce Fraser, along with all members of a Royal Navy commission, was interned by the Soviet Red Army at Baku, Azerbaijian. ww2dbase [Bruce Fraser | Baku | CPC]
28 Apr 1920
Azerbaijan
- The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was formed. ww2dbase [CPC]
Japan
- Crown Prince Yi Un of Korea married Japanese Princess Masako of Nashimoto. ww2dbase [Yi Un | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 28 Apr 1920
1 May 1920
United States
- USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States. ww2dbase [Arizona | New York | CPC]
2 May 1920
Photo(s) dated 2 May 1920
7 May 1920
- Pilsudski's Polish troops occupied Kiev, Ukraine. ww2dbase [AC]
- Quintin Brand received the title of Qualified Flight Instructor with the RAF Flying Training School. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
10 May 1920
United Kingdom
- Carrier Eagle held taxiing trials with Sopwith Camel fighters and Parnall Panther reconnaissance aircraft while still being docked. ww2dbase [Eagle | CPC]
United States
11 May 1920
United Kingdom
- Oswald Mosley married Lady Cynthia Curzon, the daughter of British Foreign Secretary George Curzon, at St James's Palace in London, England, United Kingdom. Their guests included King George V of the United Kingdom and King Leopold III of Belgium. ww2dbase [Oswald Mosley | London, England | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 11 May 1920
14 May 1920
- Quintin Brand was made Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
15 May 1920
- The Bolsheviks struck back at the Polish forces with a rapid thrust in the Potock area in Ukraine. ww2dbase [AC]
- Battlecruiser HMS Hood was commissioned with Captain W. Tomkinson in command. ww2dbase [Hood | AC]
17 May 1920
- Fox was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Fox | CPC]
United States
- USS Arizona departed New York City, New York, United States. ww2dbase [Arizona | New York | CPC]
- Joseph Stilwell completed a Chinese curriculum at the University of California in Berkeley, California, United States. ww2dbase [Joseph Stilwell | Berkeley, California | CPC]
18 May 1920
United States
24 May 1920
China
- Isaburo Yamagata succeeded Gonsuke Hayashi as the Governor-General of Kwantung Leased Territory in northeastern China. ww2dbase [CPC]
25 May 1920
- The Bolsheviks launched a general offensive all along the front in Ukraine. The treaty with Ukrainian leader Petlyura quickly proved worthless and the Poles, outflanked by the Red Armies, were forced to retreat. ww2dbase [AC]
31 May 1920
- Chiaki Matsuda entered the Gunnery School. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
Japan
- Masafumi Arima enrolled in gunnery school in Japan. ww2dbase [Masafumi Arima | CPC]
1 Jun 1920
United Kingdom
- The first landing took place aboard carrier Eagle. ww2dbase [Eagle | CPC]
3 Jun 1920
- USS Tennessee was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Tennessee | CPC]
Japan
4 Jun 1920
- The US Army Reorganization Act made the Air Service a combatant arm of the army, with 1,516 officers and 16,000 men in a total force of 280,000; this legislation defeated hopes for an independent air arm similar to the RAF, but marked progress towards recognising aviation as an asset to be administered independently from ground forces; of the authorised strength, only 919 officers and 8,725 men were engaged. ww2dbase [AC]
United States
- Clifton Cates's 1921 promotion to captain was retroactively dated to this date. ww2dbase [Clifton Cates | CPC]
6 Jun 1920
- Edward Brooks' son Edward, Jr. was born. ww2dbase [Edward Brooks | CPC]
8 Jun 1920
Ukraine
- The highest scoring Allied fighter ace of World War II, Ivan Kozhedub, was born at the village of Obrazheyevska in the Sumy region of the Ukraine. ww2dbase [Obrazheyevska, Sumy | AC]
10 Jun 1920
Poland
- In Warsaw the Polish cabinet collapsed causing political turmoil and widespread panic; it would be two weeks before a new government was formed. Some factions pressed for peace negotiations with the Bolsheviks, but Pilsudski clung to the hope that the western Allies would come to Poland's assistance. ww2dbase [Warsaw | AC]
Ukraine
- Kiev, Ukraine was evacuated by the Polish forces and the Bolsheviks marched in. ww2dbase [Kiev | AC]
15 Jun 1920
- A new border treaty between Germany and Denmark gave northern Schleswig to Denmark. ww2dbase [CPC]
16 Jun 1920
France
- Jean de Lattre de Tassigny was made a Officier of the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur. ww2dbase [Jean de Lattre de Tassigny | CPC]
20 Jun 1920
- George Patton reverted to the permanent rank of captain. ww2dbase [George Patton | CPC]
25 Jun 1920
United States
- USS Arizona arrived at New York City, New York, United States. ww2dbase [Arizona | New York | CPC]
26 Jun 1920
Greece
- Alexandros Sakellariou's 2 Dec 1920 promotion to commander was retroactively dated to this date. ww2dbase [Alexandros Sakellariou | CPC]
29 Jun 1920
Photo(s) dated 29 Jun 1920
30 Jun 1920
United States
- Henry Arnold reverted to his permanent rank of captain. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
1 Jul 1920
- George Patton was promoted to the permanent rank of major. ww2dbase [George Patton | CPC]
- Ira Eaker was promoted to the rank of captain. ww2dbase [Ira Eaker | CPC]
United States
- Harold George was promoted to the rank of captain. ww2dbase [Harold George | CPC]
- James Doolittle received a commission in the Regular Army component of the US Army. ww2dbase [James Doolittle | CPC]
3 Jul 1920
United States
- John Ford married Mary McBride Smith. ww2dbase [John Ford | CPC]
- Kasuga arrived at Portland, Maine, United States to attend the centennial celebrations of the state. ww2dbase [Kasuga | Portland, Maine | CPC]
6 Jul 1920
- Franklin Roosevelt was nominated as a candidate for US Vice President. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | CPC]
7 Jul 1920
Estonia
- Finland recognized the Republic of Estonia. ww2dbase [CPC]
10 Jul 1920
Korea
- Japanese Governor General of Korea Makoto Saito lead a ceremony at the General Government Building in Keijo (now Seoul) construction site, during which an engraved tablet was installed. ww2dbase [Keijo General Government Building | Keijo | CPC]
17 Jul 1920
- USS Arizona was given the designation BB-39. ww2dbase [Arizona | CPC]
Poland
- The Bolsheviks crossed into Polish territory and began their advance on Warsaw. ww2dbase [AC]
United States
- USS R-5 was given the hull number of SS-82. ww2dbase [R-5 | CPC]
23 Jul 1920
French Syria and Lebanon
- A French army under Henri Gourmand defeated the army of King Faisal's Independent Kingdom of Syria at Maysalun Pass about 12 miles west of Damascus. ww2dbase [Maysalun | AC]
25 Jul 1920
Russia
- Semyon Timoshenko was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for the first time. ww2dbase [Semyon Timoshenko | CPC]
1 Aug 1920
Poland
- Mikhail Tukhachevsky's Bolshevik offensive drove Józef Pilsudski's Polish Army out of Brest-Litovsk, Poland (now Brest, Belarus). ww2dbase [Brest-Litovsk | AC]
2 Aug 1920
France
Poland
- Józef Pilsudski's Polish Army withdrew to Warsaw, Poland. Meanwhile Mikhail Tukhachevsky announced his intention that the Red Army would occupy the Polish capital on 12 Aug 1920. ww2dbase [Warsaw | AC]
4 Aug 1920
United States
- The keel of Marblehead was laid down by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. ww2dbase [Marblehead | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | CPC]
- Joseph Stilwell ended a period of leave in the United States. ww2dbase [Joseph Stilwell | CPC]
6 Aug 1920
Kazakhstan
- The Kirghiz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed within Russia. ww2dbase [CPC]
Poland
- Józef Pilsudski issued his orders for the battle to defend Warsaw, Poland to be carried out on 17 Aug 1920. ww2dbase [AC]
8 Aug 1920
Poland
- Having captured Józef Pilsudski's plans from the body of a dead Polish officer, Mikhail Tukhachevsky (who regarded them as a hoax) issued his orders for the attack on Warsaw, Poland to be carried out on 14 Aug 1920, three days before Pilsudski planned to be ready. ww2dbase [AC]
11 Aug 1920
United States
- Henry Arnold was promoted to the permanent rank of major and was transferred to the US Army Air Service by the US War Department Special Order No. 188-0. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
16 Aug 1920
- Polish Marshal Pilsudski launched a counter offensive in the Deblin sector in Poland. Every available Polish aircraft was thrown into action in support of the ground troops. Under the combined air-ground onslaught the Red fprces wavered and broke. ww2dbase [AC]
Korea
- Lieutenant General Jiro Oba was named the commanding officer of the Japanese Chosen Army in occupied Korea, relieving Heitaro Utsunomiya. ww2dbase [CPC]
17 Aug 1920
- Peace talks commenced between the Poles and Bolsheviks at Minsk, but progress slowly whilst the course of the battle remained undecided. ww2dbase [AC]
- Józef Zajac was made the chief of staff of the Wisla operational group of Polish 5th Army. ww2dbase [Józef Zajac | CPC]
18 Aug 1920
Poland
- Defeated, Mikhail Tukhachevsky's 15th, 3rd and 16th Armies were in full retreat, whilst his 4th Army was trapped by a Polish counter attack from Warsaw, Poland by Józef Pilsudski's 1st, 2nd and 5th Armies. ww2dbase [AC]
22 Aug 1920
- The Polish spearhead reached the River Narew in eastern Poland, cutting off General Tukhachevsky's 4th Red Army from the bulk of the Soviet forces. ww2dbase [AC]
Panama Canal Zone
- Kasuga arrived at Cristóbal, Panama Canal Zone. ww2dbase [Kasuga | Cristóbal | CPC]
23 Aug 1920
- USS Arizona was named the flagship of US Navy Battleship Division 7. ww2dbase [Arizona | CPC]
25 Aug 1920
Panama Canal Zone
- Kasuga departed Cristobal, Panama for San Francisco, California, United States. ww2dbase [Kasuga | Cristóbal | CPC]
27 Aug 1920
- The defeated 4th Red Army, broken by the Poles at Grodno-Wolkowsysk, fled in disorder. ww2dbase [AC]
29 Aug 1920
Japan
United States
31 Aug 1920
- Kuma was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Kuma | CPC]
Philippines
- Joseph Stilwell disembarked USAT Madawaska at Manila, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [Joseph Stilwell | Manila | CPC]
2 Sep 1920
Germany
Latvia
- The Russo-Polish peace talk moved to Riga, Latvia as the extent of the Bolshevik military defeat became known. ww2dbase [Riga | AC]
6 Sep 1920
Hawaii
- USS R-14 arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii. ww2dbase [R-14 | Honolulu, Oahu | CPC]
7 Sep 1920
Japan
- Tenryu arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Otaru, Hokkaido | CPC]
- Hachiro Arita was awarded Order of the Rising Sun 4th Class. ww2dbase [Hachiro Arita | CPC]
11 Sep 1920
United States
- Gordon Seagrave married Marion Grace Morse in the United States. ww2dbase [Gordon Seagrave | CPC]
13 Sep 1920
United States
- USS R-1 departed New London, Connecticut, United States for overhaul at Norfolk, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [R-1 | New London, Connecticut | CPC]
- USS R-5 departed Newport, Rhode Island, United States for a scheduled overhaul at Norfolk, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [R-5 | Newport, Rhode Island | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 13 Sep 1920
19 Sep 1920
United States
- James Doolittle was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in the US Army Air Service. ww2dbase [James Doolittle | CPC]
24 Sep 1920
United States
- USS Reuben James was commissioned into service with Commander Gordon W. Hines in command. ww2dbase [Reuben James | DS]
30 Sep 1920
- Quintin Brand began studies at Cambridge University in Britain. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
- McFarland was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [McFarland | CPC]
1 Oct 1920
China
- Vice Admiral Naoe Nakano succeeded Vice Admiral Tatsuo Matsumura as the commanding officer of the Ryojun Military Port (previously known as Port Arthur; now Lushunkou, Liaoning Province, China), Kwantung Leased Territory in northeastern China. ww2dbase [Ryojun Guard District | Lushunkou, Liaoning | CPC]
17 Oct 1920
Taiwan
- Tsia Bun-tat became the first Taiwanese touring flight show pilot as he performed in an Itoh Emi 5 aircraft in Taichu, Taiwan. ww2dbase [Tsia Bun-tat | Taichu | CPC]
18 Oct 1920
Latvia
- The Russo-Polish war was formally brought to an end with the signing of a peace treaty at Riga, Latvia. ww2dbase [Riga | AC]
20 Oct 1920
France
- Paul Teste landed on Béarn, becoming the first French naval aviator to make a carrier landing. ww2dbase [Béarn | CPC]
29 Oct 1920
- S-30 was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [S-30 | CPC]
30 Oct 1920
Taiwan
- Tsia Bun-tat performed a flight show in an Itoh Emi 5 aircraft over at the Taihoku Cavalry Training Field (now Machangding Memorial Park) in Taihoku (now Taipei), Taiwan. ww2dbase [Tsia Bun-tat | Taihoku | CPC]
31 Oct 1920
Taiwan
- Tsia Bun-tat performed a flight show in an Itoh Emi 5 aircraft over at the Taihoku Cavalry Training Field (now Machangding Memorial Park) in Taihoku (now Taipei), Taiwan. ww2dbase [Tsia Bun-tat | Taihoku | CPC]
1 Nov 1920
Japan
- Kenkichi Ueda was awarded Order of the Rising Sun 3rd Class and Order of the Golden Kite 4th Class. ww2dbase [Kenkichi Ueda | CPC]
2 Nov 1920
- Franklin Roosevelt was defeated as a US Vice Presidential candidate. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | CPC]
5 Nov 1920
Azerbaijan
- Bruce Fraser departed Baku, Azerbaijian by rail under captivity. ww2dbase [Bruce Fraser | Baku | CPC]
7 Nov 1920
Georgia
- Bruce Fraser arrived at Tiflis, Georgia by rail under captivity. ww2dbase [Bruce Fraser | Tiflis | CPC]
9 Nov 1920
- Poland agreed not to enter any international agreements involving the soon-to-be-formed Free City of Danzig without Danzig's approval. ww2dbase [CPC]
11 Nov 1920
- Walter Krupinski was born in Domnau, East Prussia, Germany. ww2dbase [Walter Krupinski | CPC]
15 Nov 1920
- Nagato was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Nagato | CPC]
Danzig
- The Free City of Danzig was created. ww2dbase [CPC]
United States
26 Nov 1920
Australia
United Kingdom
- Bruce Fraser arrived in Britain. ww2dbase [Bruce Fraser | CPC]
28 Nov 1920
Russia
- Semyon Timoshenko was awarded the honorary sword to his Order of the Red Banner. ww2dbase [Semyon Timoshenko | CPC]
1 Dec 1920
- Chuichi Nagumo was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander and was named the commanding officer of destroyer Momi. ww2dbase [Chuichi Nagumo | CPC]
- Chiaki Matsuda was assigned to cruiser Yudachi. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
Japan
- Prince Hiroyasu was named a member to the Supreme War Council. ww2dbase [Hiroyasu | CPC]
- Masafumi Arima was assigned to Kongo. ww2dbase [Masafumi Arima | CPC]
- Engineering Rear Admiral Tamotsu Niratsuka was made the commanding officer of Maizuru Naval Arsenal in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. ww2dbase [Maizuru Naval Arsenal | Maizuru, Kyoto | CPC]
- Minoru Ota began the Gunnery School Advanced Course at the rank of lieutenant. ww2dbase [Minoru Ota | CPC]
- Masaichi Niimi was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander. ww2dbase [Masaichi Niimi | CPC]
Korea
Taiwan
- Admiral Naomi Taniguchi was named the commanding officer of the Mako naval port at Pescadores islands, Taiwan. ww2dbase [Mako Guard District | Mako, Hoko | CPC]
United Kingdom
2 Dec 1920
Greece
- Alexandros Sakellariou was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander (the promotion was retroactively dated to 21 Dec 1917) and immediately was promoted again to the rank of commander (retroactively dated to 26 Jun 1920). ww2dbase [Alexandros Sakellariou | CPC]
6 Dec 1920
Danzig
- Heinrich Sahm became the first President of the Senate of Danzig. ww2dbase [CPC]
7 Dec 1920
Austria
- The Luftwaffe fighter ace Walter Nowotny was born in Gmünd, Austria. The youngest of three sons of an Austrian railway official, during the war he would be credited with no less than 258 aerial victories and commanded the world's first jet fighter wing. ww2dbase [Gmünd | AC]
Germany
13 Dec 1920
United States
16 Dec 1920
- The keel of light carrier Hosho was laid down. ww2dbase [Hosho | CPC]
20 Dec 1920
- Werner von Blomberg was promoted to the rank of Oberstleutnant. ww2dbase [Werner von Blomberg | CPC]
Russia
- In the Soviet Union, the foreign intelligence section of OO (Special Department) was broken out, forming the INO (Foreign Department). ww2dbase [CPC]
31 Dec 1920
Estonia
- Poland recognized the Republic of Estonia. ww2dbase [CPC]
Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis
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