United States History On This Date: March 20

1852 — Uncle Tom’s Cabin Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin was first published in book form, instantly becoming a national sensation. Its vivid portrayal of slavery galvanized abolitionist sentiment in the North and intensified sectional tensions leading up to the Civil War.
1916 — U.S. Marines Land in the Dominican Republic
As political instability deepened, U.S. Marines landed in the Dominican Republic to protect American interests and restore order. The intervention led to an extended military occupation that shaped Dominican‑American relations for decades.
1965 — LBJ Sends Voting Rights Message to Congress
President Lyndon B. Johnson formally submitted his Voting Rights Act proposal to Congress, following his historic “We Shall Overcome” speech. The legislation targeted discriminatory practices that suppressed Black voters, becoming a cornerstone of the civil rights movement.
2003 — U.S. Ground Invasion of Iraq Begins
Coalition ground forces crossed into Iraq, launching the full-scale invasion that followed initial airstrikes. The operation aimed to topple Saddam Hussein’s regime and eliminate alleged weapons programs, marking the start of a long and complex conflict.

Illustration from pg. 62 of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"