On March 20, 1602, the States-General of the Netherlands established the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The creation edict granted VOC a monopoly over Dutch colonial activities in Asia for twenty-one years. During that time, VOC became the world's first multinational company and the first to issue stock. Read a history of the VOC and view the world's oldest share of stock, as issued by the VOC.

On March 20, 1899, Martha Place, convicted of the murder of her stepdaughter, became the first woman to die in the electric chair. The execution was carried out at New York's Auburn Prison.