21 January

January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 344 days remain until the end of the year.

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about January 21st, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about January 21st in history!

Table of Contents

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

  • National Squirrel Appreciation Day
  • National Hugging Day
  • International Sweatpants Day
  • National Granola Bar Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – January 21

1998: Pope John Paul II visits Cuba

It was the first time any Pope visited the country.

1976: Concorde takes off on its first scheduled flights

2 of the supersonic aircraft took off from Paris and London simultaneously.

1968: The Battle of Khe Sanh begins

It is one of the most publicized battles of the Vietnam War.

1911: 23 cars take part in the first Rally Monte Carlo

Unlike today, the competitors set out from 11 different European locations, heading for the finish line in Monte Carlo.

1899: Opel builds its first automobile

Today, Opel is one of the world’s largest car manufacturers.

1960: Day-to-day life during the simpler and prosperous economic times, Liberians walk from street to street on a crosswalk, as American-made automobiles pass by a large clock tower in the capital city Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, c. 1960.

Day to day life during the simpler and prosperous economic times, Liberians walk from street to street on a crosswalk, as American-made automobiles pass by a large clock tower in the capital city Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, c. 1960.
Day to day life during the simpler and prosperous economic times, Liberians walk from street to street on a crosswalk, as American-made automobiles pass by a large clock tower in the capital city Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, c. 1960.

1943: Curtiss P-40F Warhawk of the 33FG preparing for take-off USS Ranger off the coast of North Africa, 1943.

Curtiss P-40F Warhawk of the 33FG preparing for take off USS Ranger off the coast of North Africa, 1943.
Curtiss P-40F Warhawk of the 33FG preparing for take off USS Ranger off the coast of North Africa, 1943.

1898 and 1914: Jerusalem, Palestine. This photo was taken between 1898 and 1914 when Palestine was under Ottoman rule

Jerusalem, Palestine. This photo was taken between 1898 and 1914 when Palestine was under Ottoman rule
Jerusalem, Palestine. This photo was taken between 1898 and 1914 when Palestine was under Ottoman rule

1914: Members of Buffalo Bill’s Troupe in Edmonton, Alberta. Autochrome taken in 1914, restored by me

Members of Buffalo Bill's Troupe in Edmonton, Alberta. Autochrome taken in 1914, restored by me
Members of Buffalo Bill’s Troupe in Edmonton, Alberta. Autochrome taken in 1914, restored by me

1914 : Ahmed Ali Chalikten or Ahmed Ali Al-Arabi, the first pilot in the world of African origin, was in the ranks of the Ottoman army during the First World War in 1914.

Ahmed Ali Chalikten or Ahmed Ali Al-Arabi, the first pilot in the world of African origin, was in the ranks of the Ottoman army during the First World War in 1914.
Ahmed Ali Chalikten or Ahmed Ali Al-Arabi, the first pilot in the world of African origin, was in the ranks of the Ottoman army during the First World War in 1914.

1850: Later British Admiral Jacky Fisher as a Midshipman in the 1850s. His career spanned the Crimean War to World War I. He guided the Royal Navy from the era of wooden sailing ships with muzzle-loaded cannons to steel-hulled battlecruisers, submarines and early aircraft carriers.

Later British Admiral Jacky Fisher as a Midshipman in the 1850s. His career spanned the Crimean War to World War I. He guided the Royal Navy from the era of wooden sailing ships with muzzle-loaded cannons to steel-hulled battlecruisers, submarines and early aircraft carriers.
Later British Admiral Jacky Fisher as a Midshipman in the 1850s. His career spanned the Crimean War to World War I. He guided the Royal Navy from the era of wooden sailing ships with muzzle-loaded cannons to steel-hulled battlecruisers, submarines and early aircraft carriers.

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, January 21

1963: Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigerian/American basketball player

1941: Plácido Domingo, Spanish tenor, conductor

1940: Jack Nicklaus, American golfer

1905: Christian Dior, French fashion designer, founded S.A.

1824: Stonewall Jackson, American general

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, January 21

1997: Colonel Tom Parker, Dutch/American talent manager

1950: George Orwell, English author

1938: Georges Méliès, French director

1924: Vladimir Lenin, Russian politician

1683: Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, English politician

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