1921Battle
Battle event - February 21
Historic battle event recorded on this date in 1921, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Two birth milestones share this date — Alan Rickman born (1946) and Jennifer Love Hewitt born (1979), 33 years apart.
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From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds DeadHall of Fame◆
- 1975Police End ‘Fencing’ OperationThe New York Times◆
- 2016George Pell evidence: royal commission says victims can be present in RomeThe Guardian◆
- 2012From Rocky Flats to Fukushima: this nuclear follyThe Guardian◆
- 1842John Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.Wikipedia◆
- 1245Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after confessing to torture and forgery.Wikipedia◆
- 1995Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.Wikipedia◆
- 1866Lucy Hobbs Taylor (pictured) became the first woman to receive a doctorate from a dental college.Wikipedia◆
- 1828The inaugural issue of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper in a Native American language, was published.Wikipedia◆
- 1437King James I of Scotland was murdered at Perth in a failed coup by his uncle and former ally Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl.Wikipedia◆
- 1878The first telephone directory is issued in New Haven, Connecticut.Wikipedia◆
- 1874The Oakland Daily Tribune publishes its first edition.Wikipedia◆
- 1828Initial issue of the Cherokee Phoenix is the first periodical to use the Cherokee syllabary invented by Sequoyah.Wikipedia◆
- 1804The first self-propelling steam locomotive makes its outing at the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Wales.Wikipedia◆
- Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds DeadHall of Fame◆
- 1975Police End ‘Fencing’ OperationThe New York Times◆
- 2016George Pell evidence: royal commission says victims can be present in RomeThe Guardian◆
- 2012From Rocky Flats to Fukushima: this nuclear follyThe Guardian◆
- 1842John Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.Wikipedia◆
- 1245Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after confessing to torture and forgery.Wikipedia◆
- 1995Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.Wikipedia◆
- 1866Lucy Hobbs Taylor (pictured) became the first woman to receive a doctorate from a dental college.Wikipedia◆
- 1828The inaugural issue of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper in a Native American language, was published.Wikipedia◆
- 1437King James I of Scotland was murdered at Perth in a failed coup by his uncle and former ally Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl.Wikipedia◆
- 1878The first telephone directory is issued in New Haven, Connecticut.Wikipedia◆
- 1874The Oakland Daily Tribune publishes its first edition.Wikipedia◆
- 1828Initial issue of the Cherokee Phoenix is the first periodical to use the Cherokee syllabary invented by Sequoyah.Wikipedia◆
- 1804The first self-propelling steam locomotive makes its outing at the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Wales.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Elliot Page1987- Jennifer Love Hewitt1979
- Alan Rickman1946
- Birth event - February 211921
21 February in history
6 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1921Invention
Invention event - February 21
Historic invention event recorded on this date in 1921, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1921Medical
Medical event - February 21
Historic medical event recorded on this date in 1921, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1921Tragedy
Tragedy event - February 21
Historic tragedy event recorded on this date in 1921, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1929Medical
First publication of penicillin
Fleming's paper on penicillin published in British Journal of Experimental Pathology.
1965Law
Malcolm X assassinated
Civil rights leader Malcolm X assassinated in Audubon Ballroom, New York.
Showing 1-6 of 6 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — February 21
1842 First everJohn Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1245 First everThomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after confessing to torture and forgery.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1995 First everSteve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1866 First everLucy Hobbs Taylor (pictured) became the first woman to receive a doctorate from a dental college.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1828 First everThe inaugural issue of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper in a Native American language, was published.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2016The GuardianGeorge Pell evidence: royal commission says victims can be present in RomeCommission chair finds victims’ request to be in the same room as Pell when he gives evidence is ‘not unreasonable’ a…
Read on The Guardian →
2012The GuardianFrom Rocky Flats to Fukushima: this nuclear follyNaomi Wolf: There's no such thing as safe and accidents are always covered up. So why let Obama build a whole new gen…
Read on The Guardian →- 1975The New York TimesPolice End ‘Fencing’ Operation
Sham trucking co set up by undercover NYC detectives in E Village as cover to ‘purchase’ stolen property is closed th…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineTyphoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “John Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
John Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1245 First ever
Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after confessing to torture and forgery.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1995 First ever
Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 21 February — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
41921Birth
Birth event - February 21
Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1921, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1946Birth
Alan Rickman born
Alan Rickman was born. English actor.
1979Birth
Jennifer Love Hewitt born
Jennifer Love Hewitt was born. American actress.
1987Birth
Elliot Page born
Elliot Page was born. Canadian actor.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
Suicide
30 BCDeath
Cleopatra dies
Cleopatra, queen of the ptolemaic kingdom, died on this day in 30 BC. Suicide (historically debated, asp bite). Remembered as: The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Famous birthdays
28 this weekToday · 21 February
- Elliot PageCanadian actor and producer (born 1987)Born 1987 · 39 years ago today
- Jennifer Love HewittAmerican actress and singer (born 1979)Born 1979 · 47 years ago today
- Alan RickmanEnglish actor (1946–2016)Born 1946 · 80 years ago today
- BEBirth event - February 21Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1921, noted inBorn 1921 · 105 years ago today
Coming up this week
Drew BarrymoreAmerican actress (born 1975)22 February · born 1975
James BluntEnglish musician (born 1974)22 February · born 1974- BEBirth event - February 22Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1922, noted in22 February · born 1922
George WashingtonFounding Father, U.S. president from 1789 to 179722 February · born 1732
Dakota FanningAmerican actress (born 1994)23 February · born 1994
Emily BluntBritish actress (born 1983)23 February · born 1983
Day of Recognition21 February
International Mother Language Day
Promotes awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism worldwide.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 21 February.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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