September 20, 2002 (Friday)
- U.S. plan to invade Iraq: White House and Pentagon officials announce that Gen. Tommy Franks presented detailed war plans to President Bush in early September.
- Spirited Away was released in the US.
- Joss Whedon's short-lived TV show Firefly makes its debut.
- A large tornado carves a path through Indiana, this tornado was given a rating of EF3, which is 3/5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
- A fire destroys a home on Clivus Drive in Nevada County, California, killing two dogs and several cats, and leaving a resident with second-degree burns, prompting officials to close Highway 49. (The Union)