1020 facts for kids

The year 1020 (written as MXX in Roman numerals) was a special kind of year called a leap year starting on Friday in the Julian calendar. This means it had an extra day, February 29th, and started on a Friday.

What Happened in 1020

Events Around the World

Asia

• The Goryeo kingdom (which is now Korea) and the Liao dynasty (a powerful empire in China) started talking again. They exchanged special visitors called embassies after they had disagreed about land for seven years.
• A huge and beautiful Hindu temple called the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple was finished. It was built in a city called Khajuraho, which was the capital of the Chandela rulers in India.

Europe

• A new city was started in France, named Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
• Henry II, who was the powerful ruler of Germany, began his third trip with his army to Italy. These trips were called military campaigns.
• Canute the Great, a famous king, made new rules and laws for England.

People Born in 1020

• Zhang Zai was born. He became a very important Chinese thinker and philosopher from the Song Dynasty. He also studied the universe, so he was a cosmologist.
• Su Song was born. He became a famous Chinese scientist and engineer during the Song Dynasty. He designed and built many things.

People Who Died in 1020

• On June 12, Lyfing, Archbishop of Canterbury passed away. He was a very important religious leader in England.
• Ferdowsi Tousi, a famous Persian poet, died. He was known for writing long, heroic poems called epic poetry. He was born around 935.
• Leif Ericson, a brave explorer from Iceland, passed away. He was known for traveling to new places.
• Fan Kuan, a well-known Chinese painter who specialized in painting landscapes, died this year.