What Happened on January 21?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JANUARY 21
Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 21, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Bucharest
Year:
1941
Sparked by the murder of a German officer in Bucharest, Romania the day before, members of the Iron Guard engaged in a rebellion and pogrom killing 125 Jews.
Like
Finland
Year:
1932
Finland and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression treaty.
Like
Isaac Isaacs
Year:
1931
Sir Isaac Isaacs is sworn in as the first Australian-born Governor-General of Australia.
Like
Albania
Year:
1925
Albania declares itself a republic.
Like
Jewish resistance in German-occupied Europe
Year:
1942
The Jewish resistance organization, Fareynikte Partizaner Organizatsye, based in the Vilna Ghetto was established.
Like
Flag of Quebec
Year:
1948
The Flag of Quebec is adopted and flown for the first time over the National Assembly of Quebec. The day is marked annually as Québec Flag Day.
Like
2025 Kartalkaya hotel fire
Year:
2025
A fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu Province, Turkey, results in 78 people dead and 51 injured.
Like
1951 eruption of Mount Lamington
Year:
1951
The catastrophic eruption of Mount Lamington in Papua New Guinea claims 2,942 lives.
Like
BIRTHS ON JANUARY 21
Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 21, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Habib Thiam
Year of birth:
1933
Habib Thiam, Senegalese politician (died 2017)
Like
Yoshiko Kuga
Year of birth:
1931
Yoshiko Kuga, Japanese actress (died 2024)
Like
Tony Marchi
Year of birth:
1933
Tony Marchi, English footballer (died 2022)
Like
Ann Wedgeworth
Year of birth:
1934
Ann Wedgeworth, American actress (died 2017)
Like
Audrey Dalton
Year of birth:
1934
Audrey Dalton, Irish actress
Like
Valentin Filatyev
Year of birth:
1930
Valentin Filatyev, Soviet cosmonaut (died 1990)
Like
Reynaldo Bignone
Year of birth:
1928
Reynaldo Bignone, Argentinian general and politician, 41st President of Argentina (died 2018)
Like
Clive Donner
Year of birth:
1926
Clive Donner, British director (died 2010)
Like
DEATHS ON JANUARY 21
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 21, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Gojong of Korea
Year of death:
1919
Gojong of Korea (born 1852)
Like
Ahmed Muhtar Pasha
Year of death:
1919
Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, Ottoman general and politician, 277th Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire (born 1839)
Like
Vladimir Lenin
Year of death:
1924
Vladimir Lenin, Russian lawyer and politician (born 1870)
Like
Camillo Golgi
Year of death:
1926
Camillo Golgi, Italian physician and pathologist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1843)
Like
George Washington Goethals
Year of death:
1928
George Washington Goethals, American general and engineer (born 1858)
Like
Jan Drozdowski
Year of death:
1918
Jan Drozdowski, Polish pianist and music teacher (born 1857)
Like
Theodor Kittelsen
Year of death:
1914
Theodor Kittelsen, Norwegian painter and illustrator (born 1857)
Like
Franz Grillparzer
Year of death:
1872
Franz Grillparzer, Austrian playwright and poet (born 1791)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 21
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 21 around the world.
Babinden
Babinden (Bulgaria, Serbia)
Like
Flag of Quebec
Flag Day (Quebec)
Like
Lincoln Alexander
Lincoln Alexander Day (Canada)
Like
National Hugging Day
National Hugging Day (United States)
Like
Meinrad of Einsiedeln
Christian feast day: Meinrad of Einsiedeln
Like
January 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: January 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
John Yi Yun-il
Christian feast day: John Yi Yun-il (one of The Korean Martyrs)
Like
Fructuosus
Christian feast day: Fructuosus
Like