What happened in the 1968 Czechoslovakia entry for Aug. 20 in Today in History?

The entry says about 250,000 Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia at night to suppress the Prague Spring. It presents the invasion as a coordinated military move against the reform movement.

What did Sun Yat-sen do in 1905 according to the history roundup?

Sun Yat-sen formed the first chapter of Tongmenghui, a union of secret societies determined to bring down the Qing dynasty. The entry frames it as an organizing step in the Chinese revolutionary movement.

What is the Oslo Peace Accords entry in the Aug. 20 history list?

The list says the Oslo Peace Accords were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1993 after secret negotiations in Norway. It adds that a public ceremony in Washington, D.C. was held the following month.

THURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2026

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Summary

On Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, Today in History lists major events from 1597, 1741, 1905, 1939, 1968 and 1993. The entries include the return of Dutch East India Company ships from the Far East, the first sighting of Alaska by a Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering, and Sun Yat-sen forming the first chapter of Tongmenghui. It also notes the Prague Spring crackdown by Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops and the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993.

Key Facts

In 1741, Alaska was first sighted by a Russian expedition led by Danish explorer Vitus Bering.
In 1905, Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen formed the first chapter of Tongmenghui, a union of secret societies aimed at bringing down the Qing dynasty.
In 1968, about 250,000 Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia at night to suppress the Prague Spring.

Published Aug 19, 2026 11:10 am KST

1597-First Dutch East India Company ships return from the Far East

1741-Alaska is first sighted by a Russian expedition led by Danish explorer Vitus Bering

1905-Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen forms the first chapter of Tongmenghui, a union of secret societies determined to bring down the Qing dynasty

1939-General Zhukov leads a Soviet offensive against the Japanese invasion in Mongolia

1968-250,000 Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops invade Czechoslovakia at night to suppress the Prague Spring

1993-Oslo Peace Accords are signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization after secret negotiations in Norway, a public ceremony in Washington, D.C. is held the following month

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