What Happened on October 21?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON OCTOBER 21
Explore the most important historical events that happened on October 21, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
World's Columbian Exposition
Year:
1892
Opening ceremonies for the World's Columbian Exposition are held in Chicago, though because construction was behind schedule, the exposition did not open until May 1, 1893.
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HMS Niobe (1897)
Year:
1910
HMS Niobe arrives in Halifax Harbour to become the first ship of the Royal Canadian Navy.
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Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
Year:
1888
The Swiss Social Democratic Party is founded.
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Thomas Edison
Year:
1879
Thomas Edison applies for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb.
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Medicine Lodge Treaty
Year:
1867
The Medicine Lodge Treaty is signed by southern Great Plains Indian leaders. The treaty requires Native American Plains tribes to relocate to a reservation in the western Indian Territory.
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First Balkan War
Year:
1912
First Balkan War: The Greek navy completes the capture of the island of Lemnos for use as a forward base against the Dardanelles.
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Warren G. Harding
Year:
1921
President Warren G. Harding delivers the first speech by a sitting U.S. president against lynching in the Deep South.
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Azad Hind
Year:
1943
World War II: The Provisional Government of Free India is formally established in Japanese-occupied Singapore.
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BIRTHS ON OCTOBER 21
Discover famous people and historical figures born on October 21, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Judy Sheindlin
Year of birth:
1942
Judy Sheindlin, American judge and television host
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Lou Lamoriello
Year of birth:
1942
Lou Lamoriello, American ice hockey player, coach, and manager
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Christopher A. Sims
Year of birth:
1942
Christopher A. Sims, American economist and statistician, Nobel Prize laureate
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Steve Cropper
Year of birth:
1941
Steve Cropper, American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and actor
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Frances FitzGerald (journalist)
Year of birth:
1940
Frances FitzGerald, American journalist and author
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Allan Grice
Year of birth:
1942
Allan Grice, Australian race car driver and politician
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Elvin Bishop
Year of birth:
1942
Elvin Bishop, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
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Michael White (journalist)
Year of birth:
1945
Michael White, English journalist
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DEATHS ON OCTOBER 21
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on October 21, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Hendrik Wortman
Year of death:
1939
Hendrik Wortman, Dutch civil engineer (born 1859)
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Dorothy Hale
Year of death:
1938
Dorothy Hale, American actress (born 1905)
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William G. Conley
Year of death:
1940
William G. Conley, American journalist, lawyer, and politician, 18th Governor of West Virginia (born 1866)
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Alois Kayser
Year of death:
1944
Alois Kayser, German-French missionary (born 1877)
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Hans Merensky
Year of death:
1952
Hans Merensky, South African geologist and philanthropist (born 1871)
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Arthur Schnitzler
Year of death:
1931
Arthur Schnitzler, Austrian author and playwright (born 1862)
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Borisav Stanković
Year of death:
1927
Borisav Stanković, Serbian author (born 1876)
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James Henry Greathead
Year of death:
1896
James Henry Greathead, South African-English engineer (born 1844)
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HOLIDAYS ON OCTOBER 21
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on October 21 around the world.
October 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: October 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Viator of Lyons
Christian feast day: Viator of Lyons
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Saint Ursula
Christian feast day: Ursula
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Central Reserve Police Force
Indian Police Commemoration Day (India)
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Melchior Ndadaye
Ndadaye Day (Burundi)
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Trafalgar Day
Trafalgar Day (the British Empire in the 19th and early 20th century)
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Public holidays in Taiwan
Overseas Chinese Day (Republic of China)
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Malchus of Syria
Christian feast day: Malchus of Syria
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