THE DAY IN HISTORY · AUGUST 20
August 20 in history
What happened on August 20: 2 moments from the Maps of History atlases, in 1191 and 1955, each linked to the map that shows it.
— Execution of the Acre prisoners
20 Aug 1191 — with ransom talks stalled, Richard has some 2,700 Muslim prisoners of the surrendered garrison executed in view of Saladin’s army. A brutal act of war, named soberly. A site of memory.
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— Philippeville massacre
20 Aug 1955 — An FLN attack on European civilians and the massive French reprisal that follows — thousands killed — end any middle ground in Algeria. Terror and counter-terror harden into a war without mercy. Remember the dead of both.
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