On Jan. 20, 1265, the first English parliament conducted its first meeting held by Simon de Montfort in the Palace of Westminster.
On Jan. 20, 1801, John Marshall was appointed by President John Adams to be the Chief Justice of the United States, serving in the position longer than anyone else in the country’s history, during all or part of the terms of six presidents – John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.
On Jan. 20, 1885, L.A. Thompson patented the roller coaster.
On Jan. 20, 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union was founded.