This Day In History: May 20

The Chinese words for “520” sound very like Wo Ai Ni, the Chinese words for “I love you.” And thus May 20 has become an unofficial “Internet Valentine's Day” in China. May 20 has a very different meaning in the tiny unincorporated town of Codell Kansas, where May 20 is “Cyclone day,” commemorating the day on which tornadoes struck the town in three consecutive years from 1916 - 1918. Clearly there are a variety of reasons that May 20 is a date in history that deserves to be remembered.

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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #onthis day

[TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Some viewers have been confused by the conclusion. The meteor passed on May 20, but was not identified until after it passed, and not reported until a month later on June 20.

[ajax]

Anyone else worried about the day THG retires. The enthusiasm, the little smile he gives towards the end of each episode, and of course the history itself. That will most definitely not be forgotten

[petuniasevan]

11:10 Notice the crotch rivet. Levi Strauss started getting complaints over the placement. Seems that cowboys crouching by the campfire were suddenly being overwarmed in a very delicate part of their anatomy.
The crotch rivets were discontinued.

[lp-xlld]

I'd be willing to bet that a good many significant events occurred on every day of the year...only a few of which are generally remembered. Thanks for keeping track of these and letting the rest of us in on it.

[revvyhevvy]

The many different stories THG presents are always varied, and always very enlightening!
Thanks, THG!

[IOSARBX]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered, You're the best! I subscribed because I love your content!

[IOSARBX]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered, I really liked this video! I subscribed too!

[darwindemartelaere]

I grewup outside the little town of Miltona MN, which a large part of the town was destroyed by a tornado in 1970. For years after that, Miltona celebrated Tornado Days.

[Ronin]

Long time Sub here, & I’m glad I watched this video. My wife and I were married in ‘69 and today is her birthday 🎂. Hearing about the tornados, Queens train wreck, and such on this day now click things right into place. Thanks for the insight 😉👍

[imlistening]

Today, May 20th, was my beautiful grandma’s birthday.

[thereissomecoolstuff]

Love the history day by the history bow tie.

[larryjohnson]

I love the specific days that have history. I like History and these dates help jog some of my memories. Thank You.

[triadmad]

It's an important date, only within my immediate family. My grandfather was born on this date in 1893.

[sevenstars]

I just went on Google Earth to check out Codell, Kansas. They have an interesting Cyclone Day Memorial. What I found very interesting was the street view. I haven't come across a street view where it was actively raining but it certainly is on the street view there. When I got to 407 Codell St. (it comes up as Plainville, Kansas) it appears that there may be a tornado in the distance, just to the left of center. If you "move" up and down Codell St., it was definitely imaged during a storm.

[jackzimmer]

My Mom was born on this day in 1931. Happy Birthday and RIP!

[tincanboat]

Always entertaining and interesting. THANK YOU for sharing.😁

[richardmourdock]

If the May 20th meteorite had struck earth, it would have left a mark, but nothing compared to the Sudbury Impact or Chicxulub. Another type of history that deserves to be remembered.

[BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[robertjensen]

I tossed a yield sign into a tornado once.
Guess I was throwing caution to the wind.

Did you hear about the tornado at the cheese factory?
Da-brie was everywhere.

[BobBrandon]

Happy Meck Dec Day. May 20th 1775 Mecklenburg County NC declared independence from England over a year before the rest of the country. The date is memorialized on the NC state flag.