List of days of the year

20 July - Carlos Santana birthday

 



Carlos Santana, born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, is a world-renowned Mexican-American guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader. He rose to international fame in the late 1960s as the founder of the band Santana, which was among the first groups to successfully blend rock and roll with Latin American jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, blues, and psychedelic rock. His signature sound — characterized by soaring, sustained guitar notes, expressive bends, and a tone steeped in emotion — has made him one of the most recognizable and influential guitarists in the history of modern music.

Carlos was born into a musical family — his father, José Santana, was a mariachi violinist — and he started playing the violin at age five before switching to guitar by age eight. In the early 1960s, he moved with his family to San Francisco, where he immersed himself in the city’s countercultural movement and formed the Santana Blues Band, later shortened to Santana.

Santana’s breakthrough came with his iconic performance at Woodstock in 1969, just before the release of the band’s self-titled debut album, which featured the hit “Evil Ways.” His 1970 album Abraxas, containing classics like “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va,” cemented his status as a rock legend. Santana’s music stood out for its spiritual undertones, multicultural influences, and emphasis on rhythm and improvisation.

Despite a quieter period in the 1980s and early 1990s, Carlos made a spectacular comeback with the 1999 album Supernatural, which won nine Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. It featured major collaborations with artists like Rob Thomas (“Smooth”) and Wyclef Jean (“Maria Maria”), introducing Santana to a new generation of listeners.

Santana has received numerous honors, including:

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction (1998, as part of Santana)

  • Multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards

  • A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

  • Recognition by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest guitarists of all time

Beyond music, Santana is a humanitarian and spiritual thinker. He established the Milagro Foundation, which supports underserved children in education, health, and the arts. He is also known for his interest in spirituality and mysticism, often expressing these themes through his music and public statements.

As of today, Carlos Santana is alive and continues to tour, record, and inspire musicians worldwide. His legacy is one of musical fusion, cultural celebration, and artistic evolution, making him not only a guitar hero but a global ambassador of musical unity.


20 July - First International Special Olympics Summer Games in 1968

 



On 20 July 1968, the first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, marking the beginning of a global movement that championed inclusion, dignity, and athletic opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The event was the brainchild of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a passionate advocate for people with developmental challenges and a member of the influential Kennedy family. It was organized by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation in collaboration with the Chicago Park District.

The inaugural games brought together approximately 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from the United States and Canada, who competed in track and field, swimming, and floor hockey, among other adapted sports. For many of these participants, it was the first time they were given the opportunity to participate in organized sports in a public setting. These games shattered the stereotypes and social stigmas often associated with intellectual disabilities, showcasing the athletes' abilities, determination, and spirit.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver had long believed that people with intellectual disabilities were far more capable than society allowed them to be. The 1968 Games proved her right and became the foundation for the Special Olympics, officially established in 1971. Since then, the movement has grown to include over 5 million athletes across more than 190 countries, participating in year-round training and competitions in over 30 Olympic-style sports.

The legacy of the 1968 Special Olympics continues to inspire today, emphasizing not just competition, but inclusion, empowerment, and the celebration of human potential. July 20 remains a landmark date in the history of sports and human rights—one that transformed lives and redefined what it means to be an athlete.