From the archives
Classic headlineTyphoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Monday 12 October 2026
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Two birth milestones share this date — Andrew Scott born (1976) and Kim Kardashian born (1980), 4 years apart.
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From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds DeadHall of Fame◆
- 1939Spanish Cathedral Loot Is Recovered in ParisThe New York Times◆
- 2019'Society is suffering': Hong Kong protests spark mental health crisisThe Guardian◆
- 2013Big airports need to grow, says aviation minister Robert GoodwillThe Guardian◆
- 1978Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.Wikipedia◆
- 1867The first and second of three treaties were signed near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, between the United States federal government and several Native American tribes in the Great Plains, requiring them to relocate to areas in present-day western Oklahoma.Wikipedia◆
- 1858French composer Jacques Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, featuring the music most associated with the can-can (audio featured), was first performed at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris.Wikipedia◆
- 1096First Crusade: At the Battle of Civetot, the Seljuk forces of Kilij Arslan destroyed the army of the People's Crusade as it marched toward Nicaea.Wikipedia◆
- 1895The capitulation of Tainan completes the Japanese conquest of Taiwan.Wikipedia◆
- 1879Thomas Edison applies for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb.Wikipedia◆
- 1824Portland cement is patented.Wikipedia◆
- 1774The flag of Taunton, Massachusetts is the first to include the word "Liberty".Wikipedia◆
- 1097First Crusade: Crusaders led by Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemund of Taranto, and Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, begin the Siege of Antioch.Wikipedia◆
- 1944World War II: The three-week-long Battle of Aachen concluded, making the city the first on German soil to be captured by the Allies.Wikipedia◆
- Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds DeadHall of Fame◆
- 1939Spanish Cathedral Loot Is Recovered in ParisThe New York Times◆
- 2019'Society is suffering': Hong Kong protests spark mental health crisisThe Guardian◆
- 2013Big airports need to grow, says aviation minister Robert GoodwillThe Guardian◆
- 1978Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.Wikipedia◆
- 1867The first and second of three treaties were signed near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, between the United States federal government and several Native American tribes in the Great Plains, requiring them to relocate to areas in present-day western Oklahoma.Wikipedia◆
- 1858French composer Jacques Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, featuring the music most associated with the can-can (audio featured), was first performed at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris.Wikipedia◆
- 1096First Crusade: At the Battle of Civetot, the Seljuk forces of Kilij Arslan destroyed the army of the People's Crusade as it marched toward Nicaea.Wikipedia◆
- 1895The capitulation of Tainan completes the Japanese conquest of Taiwan.Wikipedia◆
- 1879Thomas Edison applies for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb.Wikipedia◆
- 1824Portland cement is patented.Wikipedia◆
- 1774The flag of Taunton, Massachusetts is the first to include the word "Liberty".Wikipedia◆
- 1097First Crusade: Crusaders led by Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemund of Taranto, and Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, begin the Siege of Antioch.Wikipedia◆
- 1944World War II: The three-week-long Battle of Aachen concluded, making the city the first on German soil to be captured by the Allies.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Kim Kardashian1980- Andrew Scott1976
- Dizzy Gillespie1917
21 October in history
0 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
No verified events yet for 21 October.
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — October 21
1978 Oddly trueAustralian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1867 First everThe first and second of three treaties were signed near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, between the United States federal government and several Native American tribes in the Great Plains, requiring them to relocate to areas in present-day western Oklahoma.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1858 First everFrench composer Jacques Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, featuring the music most associated with the can-can (audio featured), was first performed at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1096 First everFirst Crusade: At the Battle of Civetot, the Seljuk forces of Kilij Arslan destroyed the army of the People's Crusade as it marched toward Nicaea.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1895 Oddly trueThe capitulation of Tainan completes the Japanese conquest of Taiwan.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2019The Guardian'Society is suffering': Hong Kong protests spark mental health crisisNine suicides have been linked to the wave of unrest as young people grow frustrated and exhausted by the intense, mo…
Read on The Guardian →
2013The GuardianBig airports need to grow, says aviation minister Robert GoodwillTory MP pushes case for expansion of London's biggest airports, saying UK needs capability and it is vital to support…
Read on The Guardian →- 1939The New York TimesSpanish Cathedral Loot Is Recovered in Paris
Toledo (Spain) Cath; stolen objects found; C Mensdivier and wife held, Paris
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
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Did you guess the year?
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When was “Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? Oddly true
Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1867 First ever
The first and second of three treaties were signed near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, between the United States federal government and several Native American tribes in the Great Plains, requiring them to relocate to areas in present-day western Oklahoma.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1858 First ever
French composer Jacques Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, featuring the music most associated with the can-can (audio featured), was first performed at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris.
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 October — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1917Birth
Dizzy Gillespie born
Dizzy Gillespie was born. American jazz trumpeter.
1976Birth
Andrew Scott born
Andrew Scott was born. Irish actor known for Sherlock and Fleabag.
1980Birth
Kim Kardashian born
Kim Kardashian was born. American reality star and businesswoman.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Assassinated
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
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.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
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
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Famous birthdays
24 this weekToday · 21 October
- Kim KardashianAmerican media personality (born 1980)Born 1980 · 46 years ago today
- ASAndrew ScottBorn 1976Born 1976 · 50 years ago today
- Dizzy GillespieAmerican jazz trumpeter (1917–1993)Born 1917 · 109 years ago today
Coming up this week
Jonathan LipnickiAmerican actor (born 1990)22 October · born 1990
Christopher LloydAmerican actor (born 1938)22 October · born 1938
Franz LisztHungarian composer and pianist (1811–1886)22 October · born 1811
Emilia ClarkeEnglish actress (born 1986)23 October · born 1986
PeléBrazilian footballer (1940–2022)23 October · born 1940- PeleBrazilian footballer (1940–2022)23 October · born 1940
Day of Recognition21 October
Reptile Awareness Day
Promotes education and conservation efforts for various species of reptiles 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 October.
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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