From the archives
Classic headlineEnraged Cow Injures Farmer With Ax
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 — Jane Fonda born (1937) and Samuel L. Jackson born (1948), 11 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With AxHall of Fame◆
- 2002Bargains Are Plentiful For Shoppers This SeasonThe New York Times◆
- 2025Louisiana nursing student speaks out during her six-month ICE detentionThe Guardian◆
- 2020Jealous Guy: The Assassination of John Lennon review – what drives a fan to murder?The Guardian◆
- 1879the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings (pictured) at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.Wikipedia◆
- 1826Settlers from the United States in Mexican Texas made the first attempt to secede from Mexico, establishing the short-lived Republic of Fredonia.Wikipedia◆
- 1883The Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed.Wikipedia◆
- 1879the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.Wikipedia◆
- 2022A Vega C rocket carrying two Pléiades Neo satellites fails after liftoff.Wikipedia◆
- 1124Pope Honorius II is consecrated, having been elected after the controversial dethroning of Pope-Elect Celestine II.Wikipedia◆
- 69The Roman Senate declares Vespasian emperor of Rome, the last in the Year of the Four Emperors.Wikipedia◆
- 1988The world's heaviest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, made its first flight.Wikipedia◆
- 1968Apollo 8 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a trajectory to the Moon; its crew (pictured) became the first humans to visit another celestial body.Wikipedia◆
- 1937Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length cel-animated feature in film history, premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles.Wikipedia◆
- Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With AxHall of Fame◆
- 2002Bargains Are Plentiful For Shoppers This SeasonThe New York Times◆
- 2025Louisiana nursing student speaks out during her six-month ICE detentionThe Guardian◆
- 2020Jealous Guy: The Assassination of John Lennon review – what drives a fan to murder?The Guardian◆
- 1879the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings (pictured) at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.Wikipedia◆
- 1826Settlers from the United States in Mexican Texas made the first attempt to secede from Mexico, establishing the short-lived Republic of Fredonia.Wikipedia◆
- 1883The Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed.Wikipedia◆
- 1879the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.Wikipedia◆
- 2022A Vega C rocket carrying two Pléiades Neo satellites fails after liftoff.Wikipedia◆
- 1124Pope Honorius II is consecrated, having been elected after the controversial dethroning of Pope-Elect Celestine II.Wikipedia◆
- 69The Roman Senate declares Vespasian emperor of Rome, the last in the Year of the Four Emperors.Wikipedia◆
- 1988The world's heaviest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, made its first flight.Wikipedia◆
- 1968Apollo 8 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a trajectory to the Moon; its crew (pictured) became the first humans to visit another celestial body.Wikipedia◆
- 1937Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length cel-animated feature in film history, premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Kiefer Sutherland1966- Samuel L. Jackson1948
- Jane Fonda1937
21 December 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 December.
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — December 21
1879 First everthe fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings (pictured) at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1826 First everSettlers from the United States in Mexican Texas made the first attempt to secede from Mexico, establishing the short-lived Republic of Fredonia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1883 First everThe Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1879 First ever
the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2022 Weird
A Vega C rocket carrying two Pléiades Neo satellites fails after liftoff.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2025The GuardianLouisiana nursing student speaks out during her six-month ICE detentionVilma Palacios, 22, tells local outlet ‘I want my freedom back’ as she may be forced to return to Honduras
Read on The Guardian →
2020The GuardianJealous Guy: The Assassination of John Lennon review – what drives a fan to murder?Forty years on from his death, this documentary tells the story of the Beatles star, the man who killed him for ‘self…
Read on The Guardian →- 2002The New York Times · Front pageBargains Are Plentiful For Shoppers This Season
Even intrepid bargain hunters are shocked by the prices they are seeing in the stores this holiday season. Last ye…
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?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings (pictured) at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings (pictured) at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1826 First ever
Settlers from the United States in Mexican Texas made the first attempt to secede from Mexico, establishing the short-lived Republic of Fredonia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1883 First ever
The Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed.
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 December — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1937Birth
Jane Fonda born
Jane Fonda was born. American actress.
1948Birth
Samuel L. Jackson born
Samuel L. Jackson was born. American actor.
1966Birth
Kiefer Sutherland born
Kiefer Sutherland 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.
Assassinated
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
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.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Famous birthdays
21 this weekToday · 21 December
- Kiefer SutherlandBritish and Canadian actor (born 1966)Born 1966 · 60 years ago today
- Samuel L. JacksonAmerican actor (born 1948)Born 1948 · 78 years ago today
- Jane FondaAmerican actress and activist (born 1937)Born 1937 · 89 years ago today
Coming up this week
Meghan TrainorAmerican singer-songwriter (born 1993)22 December · born 1993
Jordin SparksAmerican singer and actress (born 1989)22 December · born 1989
Ralph FiennesEnglish actor and director (born 1962)22 December · born 1962
Holly MadisonAmerican television personality (born 1979)23 December · born 1979
Eddie VedderAmerican musician (born 1964)23 December · born 1964
Joseph SmithFounder of the Latter Day Saint movement (1805–1844)23 December · born 1805
Celebration21 December
Winter Solstice
Marks the astronomical first day of winter and the shortest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.
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 December.
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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