- 1600 20 Oct Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats the Western Army at Sekigahara, founding a shogunate that lasts until 1868.
- 1827 20 Oct Britain, France and Russia, in support of Greek independence, defeat the Ottoman fleet at Navarino.
- 1935 20 Oct The Chinese Communists' 'Long March' of 5,000 miles ends in Shensi, with a victory over the nationalists.

