March 20 Major Events in World History

March 20 has produced notable milestones in politics, war, diplomacy, culture, empire, disaster, and modern world affairs. Below is a curated chronological selection of historical events connected to this date.

1206

Michael IV Autoreianos is appointed Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople on 20 March 1206, heading the Orthodox Church during the turbulent aftermath of the Fourth Crusade and the Latin occupation of Constantinople.

1600

On 20 March 1600, the Linköping Bloodbath occurs: five Swedish noblemen are publicly beheaded in Linköping after King Charles IX’s troops suppress the War against Sigismund.

1602

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) is formally established on 20 March 1602, granting the Netherlands a powerful monopoly on Asian trade and marking the founding of one of history’s first multinational corporations.