What Happened on August 21?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON AUGUST 21
Explore the most important historical events that happened on August 21, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Tlingit
Year:
1852
Tlingit Indians destroy Fort Selkirk, Yukon Territory.
Like
Lincoln–Douglas debates
Year:
1858
The first of the Lincoln–Douglas debates is held in Ottawa, Illinois.
Like
Nat Turner
Year:
1831
Nat Turner leads black slaves and free blacks in a rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, which will claim the lives of 55 to 65 whites and about twice that number of blacks.
Like
Jarvis Island
Year:
1821
Jarvis Island is discovered by the crew of the ship, Eliza Frances.
Like
Charles XIV John
Year:
1810
Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, Marshal of France, is elected Crown Prince of Sweden by the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates.
Like
Stadtpark, Vienna
Year:
1862
The Stadtpark, the first public park in Vienna, opens to the public.
Like
Lawrence, Kansas
Year:
1863
Lawrence, Kansas is destroyed by pro-Confederate guerrillas known as Quantrill's Raiders.
Like
Adding machine
Year:
1888
The first successful adding machine in the United States is patented by William Seward Burroughs.
Like
BIRTHS ON AUGUST 21
Discover famous people and historical figures born on August 21, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Sudhakarrao Naik
Year of birth:
1934
Sudhakarrao Naik, Indian lawyer and politician, 13th Chief Minister of Maharashtra (died 2001)
Like
Wilt Chamberlain
Year of birth:
1936
Wilt Chamberlain, American basketball player and coach (died 1999)
Like
Janet Baker
Year of birth:
1933
Janet Baker, English soprano and educator
Like
Barry Norman
Year of birth:
1933
Barry Norman, English author and critic (died 2017)
Like
Erik Paaske
Year of birth:
1933
Erik Paaske, Danish actor and singer (died 1992)
Like
Robert Stone (novelist)
Year of birth:
1937
Robert Stone, American novelist and short story writer (died 2015)
Like
Gustavo Noboa
Year of birth:
1937
Gustavo Noboa, Ecuadorian academic and politician, 51st President of Ecuador (died 2021)
Like
Clarence Williams III
Year of birth:
1939
Clarence Williams III, American actor (died 2021)
Like
DEATHS ON AUGUST 21
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on August 21, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Ettore Bugatti
Year of death:
1947
Ettore Bugatti, Italian-French engineer and businessman, founded Bugatti (born 1881)
Like
Henrik Pontoppidan
Year of death:
1943
Henrik Pontoppidan, Danish journalist and author, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1857)
Like
Constant Lambert
Year of death:
1951
Constant Lambert, English composer and conductor (born 1905)
Like
Harald Sverdrup (oceanographer)
Year of death:
1957
Harald Sverdrup, Norwegian meteorologist and oceanographer (born 1888)
Like
Nels Stewart
Year of death:
1957
Nels Stewart, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1902)
Like
Hermann Obrecht
Year of death:
1940
Hermann Obrecht, Swiss lawyer and politician (born 1882)
Like
Ernest Thayer
Year of death:
1940
Ernest Thayer, American poet and author (born 1863)
Like
Mahboob Ali Khan
Year of death:
1911
Mahboob Ali Khan, sixth Nizam of Hyderabad State (born 1866)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON AUGUST 21
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on August 21 around the world.
August 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian Feast Day: August 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
Ninoy Aquino Day
Ninoy Aquino Day (Philippines)
Like
Youth Day
Youth Day (Morocco)
Like
Sidonius Apollinaris
Christian Feast Day: Sidonius Apollinaris
Like
Pope Pius X
Christian Feast Day: Pope Pius X
Like
Knock Shrine
Christian Feast Day: Our Lady of Knock
Like
National Senior Citizens Day
World Senior Citizen's Day
Like
Euprepius of Verona
Christian Feast Day: Euprepius of Verona
Like