This Day in History: March 20

1602: United Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) forms

In 1602, the Dutch East India Company, also known as the VOC, was formed. It was one of the first companies to issue shares and become a publicly traded company, and it played a significant role in the Dutch Golden Age. The VOC was responsible for the Dutch colonization of Indonesia and the establishment of the spice trade in the region.

1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin

Published in 1852, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe was a powerful anti-slavery novel that helped to raise awareness of the plight of slaves in the United States. The novel was widely read and became a best-seller in the United States and Europe. It is credited with helping to inspire the abolitionist movement and setting the stage for the American Civil War.

1916: Albert Einstein presents his general theory of relativity

In 1916, Albert Einstein presented his general theory of relativity. The theory describes the relationship between matter, space, and time and is one of the most influential theories in the field of physics. It has been tested and confirmed numerous times and has helped to shape our understanding of the universe.

1933: Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp, is completed

In 1933, the first Nazi concentration camp, Dachau, was completed. It was located near Munich, Germany, and served as a model for other concentration camps that were established during the Holocaust. It is estimated that more than 200,000 prisoners were held at Dachau during its existence, and tens of thousands died there.

1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono marry

In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono got married in Gibraltar. The couple was known for their activism and their efforts to promote peace. After their wedding, they held a Bed-In for Peace in Amsterdam, which lasted for a week and drew widespread attention.

1995: Japanese terrorists release poisonous gas in the Tokyo subway

In 1995, members of the Japanese religious cult Aum Shinrikyo released sarin gas on five different trains in the Tokyo subway system. The attack killed 12 people and injured thousands more. It was one of the most deadly terrorist attacks in Japan's history and led to a crackdown on the cult and its leaders.

2003: The United States invades Iraq, assisted by the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland

In 2003, the United States, with the support of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, invaded Iraq. The war was controversial and was criticized by many, including then-UN Secretary Kofi Annan, who termed it illegal. The war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and contributed to ongoing instability in the region.

2016: Barack Obama becomes the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a 3-day tour

In 2016, Barack Obama became the first US President to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. Obama's visit was part of an effort to improve relations between the United States and Cuba, which had been strained for decades. During his three-day visit, Obama met with Cuban President