What Happened on July 21?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JULY 21
Explore the most important historical events that happened on July 21, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Louis Rigolly
Year:
1904
Louis Rigolly, a Frenchman, becomes the first man to break the 100 mph (161 km/h) barrier on land. He drove a 15-liter Gobron-Brillié in Ostend, Belgium.
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SS Columbia (1880)
Year:
1907
The passenger steamer SS Columbia sinks after colliding with the steam schooner San Pedro off Shelter Cove, California, killing 88 people.
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Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Year:
1877
After rioting by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad workers and the deaths of nine rail workers at the hands of the Maryland militia, workers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stage a sympathy strike that is met with an assault by the state militia.
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Adair, Iowa
Year:
1873
At Adair, Iowa, Jesse James and the James–Younger Gang pull off the first successful train robbery in the American Old West.
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American Civil War
Year:
1861
American Civil War: First Battle of Bull Run: At Manassas Junction, Virginia, the first major battle of the war begins and ends in a victory for the Confederate army.
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Springfield, Missouri
Year:
1865
In the market square of Springfield, Missouri, Wild Bill Hickok shoots and kills Davis Tutt in what is regarded as the first western showdown.
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Airship
Year:
1919
The dirigible Wingfoot Air Express crashes into the Illinois Trust and Savings Building in Chicago, killing 12 people.
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The Troubles in Ulster (1920–1922)
Year:
1920
The "Belfast Pogrom" begins two years of violence with the expulsion of thousands of Catholic shipyard, factory and linen mill workers from their jobs.
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BIRTHS ON JULY 21
Discover famous people and historical figures born on July 21, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Janet Reno
Year of birth:
1938
Janet Reno, American lawyer and politician, 79th United States Attorney General (died 2016)
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Les Aspin
Year of birth:
1938
Les Aspin, American captain and politician, 18th United States Secretary of Defense (died 1995)
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Eduard Streltsov
Year of birth:
1937
Eduard Streltsov, Soviet footballer (died 1990)
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Norbert Blüm
Year of birth:
1935
Norbert Blüm, German businessman and politician (died 2020)
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Moe Drabowsky
Year of birth:
1935
Moe Drabowsky, Polish-American baseball player and coach (died 2006)
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John Negroponte
Year of birth:
1939
John Negroponte, English-American diplomat, 23rd United States Ambassador to the United Nations
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Kim Fowley
Year of birth:
1939
Kim Fowley, American singer-songwriter, producer, and manager (died 2015)
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Edward Herrmann
Year of birth:
1943
Edward Herrmann, American actor (died 2014)
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DEATHS ON JULY 21
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on July 21, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Sam Bass (outlaw)
Year of death:
1878
Sam Bass, American outlaw (born 1851)
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William Bland
Year of death:
1868
William Bland, Australian surgeon and politician (born 1789)
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Pau Alsina
Year of death:
2025
Pau Alsina, Spanish motorcycle rider (born 2008)
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Dave Garroway
Year of death:
1982
Dave Garroway, American journalist and actor (born 1913)
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Lee Miller
Year of death:
1977
Lee Miller, American model and photographer (born 1907)
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Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Year of death:
1972
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Bhutanese king (born 1928)
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Ralph Craig
Year of death:
1972
Ralph Craig, American sprinter and sailor (born 1889)
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Robert Young (actor)
Year of death:
1998
Robert Young, American actor and singer (born 1907)
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HOLIDAYS ON JULY 21
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on July 21 around the world.
Liberation Day
Liberation Day in 1944 (Guam)
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July 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: July 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Belgian National Day
Belgian National Day (Belgium)
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Racial Harmony Day
Racial Harmony Day (Singapore)
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Our Lady of Kazan
Summer Kazanskaya (Russia)
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Victor of Marseilles
Christian feast day: Victor of Marseilles
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Praxedes
Christian feast day: Praxedes
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Saint Arbogast
Christian feast day: Arbogast
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