Fact 1: Hawaiian Statehood
On August 21, 1959, Hawaii officially became the 50th state of the United States. This momentous event for the island chain occurred after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union.
Fact 2: Modern Olympic Debut
August 21, 1896, goes down in history as the day the first Modern Olympic Games concluded. Spearheaded by the International Olympic Committee, the Modern Olympics sought to revive the ancient events held in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BC to 393 AD.
Fact 3: Nat Turner’s Slave Rebellion
One of the most significant slavery uprisings in American history, led by Nat Turner, commenced on August 21, 1831. This event has had a profound effect on U.S. law and social policies, marking the fight against slave oppression.
Fact 4: Total Solar Eclipse Date
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse occurred and was visible throughout all of North America. The phenomenon, where the Moon completely blocks out the Sun, was also referred to as "The Great American Eclipse."
Fact 5: Mona Lisa Theft
One of the most famous art thefts in history occurred on this day in 1911, when Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The masterpiece wasn't recovered until 1913 being hidden in Italy.
Fact 6: Wilt Chamberlain Born
On August 21, 1936, one of basketball’s most dominant players, Wilt Chamberlain, was born. Known as "The Stilt," Chamberlain is famous for being the only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game.
Fact 7: Invention of the Photosensitive Eye Camera
On August 21, 1888, William Seward Burroughs was granted a patent for the first workable adding machine. Part of the revolutionary machine design was a photosensitive eye used to check and correct the machine's operation, functioning similarly to a modern camera.
Fact 8: Release of Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft released its landmark operating system, Windows 95, on August 21, 1995. The introduction of the Start Menu and Taskbar transformed how we navigate computers, setting a new standard in operating system design.
Fact 9: Saturn's Moon Phoebe Discovered
The outermost major moon of Saturn, Phoebe, was discovered on August 21, 1898, by American astronomer W.H. Pickering. Phoebe is named after a Titan, who in Greek mythology was associated with the Moon.
Fact 10: Ben-Hur Published
On August 21, 1880, the historical novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" by Lew Wallace was published. This jewel of American literature became the best-selling American novel of the 19th century.
Fact 11: Usain Bolt Birthday
Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, who is considered the fastest man in the world, was born August 21, 1986. Bolt holds the world record for the 100m sprint at 9.58 seconds.
Fact 12: The Gish Sisters Celebrated
August 21 is the day Hollywood immortalizes the Gish Sisters by adding their stars to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Gish Sisters were one of the leading figures in the silent film era.
Fact 13: Prague Spring Ends
The Prague Spring, a period of liberalisation and reform in Czechoslovakia, ended on August 21, 1968 when the USSR invaded the country, reestablishing a communist regime.
Fact 14: Countdown to Autumn
In the northern hemisphere, August 21 marks just one month left of summer, as autumn officially begins on September 22 or 23, depending on the year. This is the month where summer wardrobes typically start transitioning into fall clothing.
Fact 15: The "We Are the World" Record Becomes a Hit
On August 21, 1985, the charity single "We Are the World" achieves a multi-platinum status. The song, bringing together many famous voices, is still remembered and loved for its humanitarian message.
Fact 16: Hawaii's Admission Day
In Hawaii, August 21 is celebrated as "Admission Day." It's a state holiday honoring both Hawaii's admission to the union as the 50th state and the island's unique cultural heritage.
Fact 17: National Spumoni Day
For ice cream lovers, August 21 has another unique celebration in America: National Spumoni Day. The delicious Italian dessert is made up of layered ice cream, whipped cream, candied fruits, and nuts.
Fact 18: India's Akshay Urja Day
In India, August 21 is observed as Akshay Urja Day—a day promoting renewable energy resources. 'Akshay Urja' translates to 'inexhaustible energy.' The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of renewable energy for the country's growth.
Fact 19: Senior Citizens Day
Another event held on August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day. President Ronald Reagan made it official in the United States in 1988, encouraging the nation to recognize and show appreciation for the contributions of older people in society.
Fact 20: The Release of "Wizard of Oz"
This iconic film, beloved by generations, made its premiere on August 21, 1939. Based on L. Frank Baum's novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," the film was groundbreaking for its extensive use of Technicolor and special effects. Its premiere embarked viewers on a magical journey to the Land of Oz.