What Happened on November 21?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON NOVEMBER 21
Explore the most important historical events that happened on November 21, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
World War II
Year:
1944
World War II: American submarine USS Sealion sinks the Japanese battleship Kongō and Japanese destroyer Urakaze in the Formosa Strait.
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Canadian National Railway
Year:
1950
Two Canadian National Railway trains collide in northeastern British Columbia in the Canoe River train crash; the death toll is 21, with 17 of them Canadian troops bound for Korea.
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Natural History Museum, London
Year:
1953
The Natural History Museum, London announces that the "Piltdown Man" skull, initially believed to be one of the most important fossilized hominid skulls ever found, is a hoax.
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Rebecca Latimer Felton
Year:
1922
Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia takes the oath of office, becoming the first female United States Senator.
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Irish War of Independence
Year:
1920
Irish War of Independence: On "Bloody Sunday" in Dublin, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) assassinated a group of British Intelligence agents, and British forces killed 14 civilians at a Gaelic football match at Croke Park.
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Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918
Year:
1918
The Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918 is passed, allowing women to stand for Parliament in the UK.
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Flag of Estonia
Year:
1918
The Flag of Estonia, previously used by pro-independence activists, is formally adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Estonia.
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People's Action Party
Year:
1954
People's Action Party, an eventual dominative political party in Singapore, was established.
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BIRTHS ON NOVEMBER 21
Discover famous people and historical figures born on November 21, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Henry Hartsfield
Year of birth:
1933
Henry Hartsfield, American colonel, pilot, and astronaut (died 2014)
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Jean Shepard
Year of birth:
1933
Jean Shepard, American country music singer-songwriter (died 2016)
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Etta Zuber Falconer
Year of birth:
1933
Etta Zuber Falconer, American educator and mathematician (died 2002)
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Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen
Year of birth:
1932
Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Danish composer (died 2016)
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Laurence Luckinbill
Year of birth:
1934
Laurence Luckinbill, American actor, director, and playwright
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Victor Chang
Year of birth:
1936
Victor Chang, Chinese-Australian surgeon (died 1991)
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R. Budd Dwyer
Year of birth:
1939
R. Budd Dwyer, American educator and politician, 30th Treasurer of Pennsylvania (died 1987)
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John Kerin
Year of birth:
1937
John Kerin, Australian politician (died 2023)
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DEATHS ON NOVEMBER 21
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on November 21, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Ellen Glasgow
Year of death:
1945
Ellen Glasgow, American author (born 1873)
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Alexander Patch
Year of death:
1945
Alexander Patch, American general (born 1889)
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Al Davis (boxer)
Year of death:
1945
Al Davis, American boxer (born 1920)
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Robert Benchley
Year of death:
1945
Robert Benchley, American humorist, newspaper columnist, and actor (born 1889)
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Jean Trescases
Year of death:
1951
Jean Trescases, French soldier who died during the Indochina War
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William McCormack
Year of death:
1947
William McCormack, Australian politician, 22nd Premier of Queensland (born 1879)
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Winifred Carney
Year of death:
1943
Winifred Carney, Irish suffragist, trade unionist, and Irish republican (born 1887)
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Leopold Berchtold
Year of death:
1942
Count Leopold Berchtold, Austrian-Hungarian politician, Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary (born 1863)
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HOLIDAYS ON NOVEMBER 21
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on November 21 around the world.
Presentation of Mary
Christian feast days: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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William Byrd
Christian feast days: William Byrd, John Merbecke and Thomas Tallis (Episcopal Church (USA))
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November 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast days: November 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)
Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)
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Franciszka Siedliska
Christian feast days: Franciszka Siedliska
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Digain
Christian feast days: Digain
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Pope Gelasius I
Christian feast days: Pope Gelasius I
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Maurus of Parentium
Christian feast days: Maurus of Parentium
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