May 20, 1981 (Wednesday)
- The first major biotechnology contract was signed between the Massachusetts General Hospital and the German pharmaceutical firm Hoechst AG, with the corporation agreeing to pay the hospital $70,000,000 over ten years for genetic research.
- Born: Iker Casillas, Spanish World Cup winning goalkeeper, in footballer, in Móstoles
- Died: Harry Vaughn, controversial aide to President Harry Truman
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