On This Day: February 20th

Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville premieres at the Teatro Argentina in Rome.

Manuel Belgrano defeats the royalist army of Pío de Tristán during the Battle of Salta.

Louis-Alexandre Berthier removes Pope Pius VI from power.

The Postal Service Act, establishing the United States Post Office Department, is signed by United States President George Washington.

René-Robert Cavelier establishes Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay thus forming the basis for France's claim to Texas.

Yohannan Sulaqa professes his Catholic belief and is ordained as bishop shortly after; this marks the beginning of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Edward VI of England is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.

Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León sets out from San Juan, Puerto Rico, for Florida with about 200 prospective colonists.

Orkney and Shetland are pawned by Norway to Scotland in lieu of a dowry for Margaret of Denmark.

The Milanese army and the St. George's (San Giorgio) Mercenaries of Lodrisio Visconti clash in the Battle of Parabiago; Visconti is defeated.