What Happened on April 21?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON APRIL 21
Explore the most important historical events that happened on April 21, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Texas Revolution
Year:
1836
Texas Revolution: The Battle of San Jacinto: Republic of Texas forces under Sam Houston defeat troops under Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
Like
Krag–Jørgensen
Year:
1894
Norway formally adopts the Krag–Jørgensen bolt-action rifle as the main arm of its armed forces, a weapon that would remain in service for almost 50 years.
Like
Landshut
Year:
1809
Two Austrian army corps are driven from Landshut by a First French Empire army led by Napoleon as two French corps to the north hold off the main Austrian army on the first day of the Battle of Eckmühl.
Like
Action of 21 April 1806
Year:
1806
Action of 21 April 1806: A French frigate escapes British forces off the coast of South Africa.
Like
Wahhabi sack of Karbala
Year:
1802
Twelve thousand Wahhabis sack Karbala, killing over three thousand inhabitants.
Like
Spanish–American War
Year:
1898
Spanish–American War: The United States Navy begins a blockade of Cuban ports. When the U.S. Congress issued a declaration of war on April 25, it declared that a state of war had existed from this date.
Like
Ypiranga incident
Year:
1914
Ypiranga incident: A German arms shipment to Mexico is intercepted by the U.S. Navy near Veracruz.
Like
World War II
Year:
1945
World War II: Soviet forces south of Berlin at Zossen attack the German High Command headquarters.
Like
BIRTHS ON APRIL 21
Discover famous people and historical figures born on April 21, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Eve Arnold
Year of birth:
1912
Eve Arnold, Russian-American photojournalist (died 2012)
Like
Marcel Camus
Year of birth:
1912
Marcel Camus, French director and screenwriter (died 1982)
Like
Pat Brown
Year of birth:
1905
Pat Brown, American lawyer and politician, 32nd Governor of California (died 1996)
Like
Norman Parkinson
Year of birth:
1913
Norman Parkinson, English photographer (died 1990)
Like
Angelo Savoldi
Year of birth:
1914
Angelo Savoldi, Italian-American wrestler and promoter, co-founded International World Class Championship Wrestling (died 2013)
Like
Garrett Hardin
Year of birth:
1915
Garrett Hardin, American ecologist, author, and academic (died 2003)
Like
Anthony Quinn
Year of birth:
1915
Anthony Quinn, Mexican-American actor (died 2001)
Like
Jean Hélion
Year of birth:
1904
Jean Hélion, French painter (died 1987)
Like
DEATHS ON APRIL 21
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on April 21, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Eleonora Duse
Year of death:
1924
Eleonora Duse, Italian actress (born 1858)
Like
Robert Bridges
Year of death:
1930
Robert Bridges, English poet and author (born 1844)
Like
Friedrich Gustav Piffl
Year of death:
1932
Friedrich Gustav Piffl, Bohemian cardinal (born 1864)
Like
Manfred von Richthofen
Year of death:
1918
Manfred von Richthofen, German captain and pilot (born 1892)
Like
Mark Twain
Year of death:
1910
Mark Twain, American novelist, humorist, and critic (born 1835)
Like
Ivan Nabokov
Year of death:
1852
Ivan Nabokov, Russian general (born 1787)
Like
Sir Robert Bateson, 1st Baronet
Year of death:
1863
Sir Robert Bateson, 1st Baronet, Irish politician (born 1782)
Like
Vikramatji Khimojiraj
Year of death:
1900
Vikramatji Khimojiraj, Indian ruler (born 1819)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON APRIL 21
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on April 21 around the world.
April 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: April 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
San Jacinto Day
San Jacinto Day (Texas)
Like
Natale di Roma
Natale di Roma (Rome)
Like
Parilia
Parilia (ancient Rome)
Like
Arbor Day
National Tree Planting Day (Kenya)
Like
Shemon bar Sabbae
Christian feast day: Shemon Bar Sabbae
Like
Holy Infant of Good Health
Christian feast day: Holy Infant of Good Health
Like
Anastasius Sinaita
Christian feast day: Anastasius Sinaita
Like