Fact 1: The First American Flies to Space
On May 21, 1961, Alan Shepard Jr., an astronaut from NASA, became the first American to travel into space. Shepard's orbit came in response to the Soviet Union's Yuri Gagarin's successful spaceflight a month before Shepard's own. Flying in the Freedom 7 spacecraft, Shepard demonstrated to the world that Americans were also capable of sending a man safely into space and returning him back to Earth.
Fact 2: A Monumental Plane's Last Flight
The infamous Spruce Goose aircraft, known for being the largest flying boat ever built, made its monumental last flight on May 21, 1980. It was under the directive of the entrepreneur magnate and aviation enthusiast Howard Hughes. After the final flight, the plane was moved to Oregon, where it's now a part of the Evergreen Aviation Museum.
Fact 3: A Milestone for Women in Mountaineering
On May 21 in 1993, the Japanese mountaineer, Tabei Junko, became the first woman to scale all Seven Summits, the tallest peak on every continent. This includes scaling Mount Everest, which she had achieved some 18 years before, in 1975. This is certainly a day of celebration for women adventurers across the globe.
Fact 4: The Debut of 'The Empire Strikes Back'
Star Wars fans celebrate May 21 as an iconic day in movie history. On this day in 1980, "The Empire Strikes Back," the second Star Wars film (and the fifth episode in the saga) was released in cinemas. The movie introduced some of the most iconic characters such as Yoda and Boba Fett.
Fact 5: The Birth of Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known to the world as 'The Notorious B.I.G' or 'Biggie Smalls,' was born on May 21, 1972. He introduced an unprecedented level of realism about street life in his music and became a central figure in the East Coast hip-hop scene.
Fact 6: The First Suspected Witch Hanged
May 21, 1647, is marked with a grim event. On this day, Alse Young became the first recorded woman in America to be executed for witchcraft. It happened in Hartford, Connecticut, marking the beginning of the tragic history of witch trials in the region, which would later culminate in the infamous Salem Witch Trials.
Fact 7: The Red Cross Founding Date
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization, was founded on May 21, 1881, by a nurse named Clara Barton who became its first president. The organization provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster education to the United States.
Fact 8: Charles Lindbergh’s Historic Flight
On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed his historic, non-stop transatlantic flight, landing in Paris. His plane, Spirit of St. Louis, covered the nearly 3,600 miles in 33.5 hours, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.
Fact 9: Queen Victoria's First Telephonic Conversation
On May 21, 1891, Queen Victoria had her very first telephonic conversation. The event took place at Osborne House, her palatial holiday home on the Isle of Wight. This marks an important day in the history of technological advancements.
Fact 10: The Death of Rajiv Gandhi
Former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated on May 21, 1991, in Tamil Nadu during a political campaign. This tragic day is annually marked in India as Anti-Terrorism Day, promoting peace and harmony in the nation.
Fact 11: World's First Cheese Factory
On May 21, 1861, the world's first cheese factory was established in Oneida County, New York. Ever since the utilization of factory processes has led to the mass production of cheese, allowing for a variety of types and flavors we enjoy today.
Fact 12: First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s Birthday
May 21 is the birthdate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, one of the most iconic First Ladies of the United States. Born in 1929, she was renowned for her contributions to the arts and historic preservation during her time as First Lady from 1961 until 1963.
Fact 13: 'Twin Peaks' Riveted Viewers
One of the most iconic TV series of all time, 'Twin Peaks,' had its initial release on the 21st of May in 1990. Created by David Lynch, this series set new standards for surreal and mysterious narratives in television.
Fact 14: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Was Born
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the iconic character Sherlock Holmes, was born on this day in 1859. His works are still celebrated around the world, making this a special day for mystery and detective fiction lovers.
Fact 15: The Preakness Stakes
In the world of horse racing, May 21 frequently features The Preakness Stakes, which is traditionally held on the third Saturday in May. This event forms one of the three legs of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States.
Fact 16: A Day to Recognize Cultural Diversity
The United Nations celebrates World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development every year on the 21st of May. This day highlights the value of cultural diversity and the role it can play in driving sustainable development.
Fact 17: The Birth of Mr T
On May 21, 1952, actor Laurence Tureaud, famously known as Mr T. was born. Known for his role in 'The A-Team' and 'Rocky III,' he is an iconic pop culture figure.
Fact 18: The Death of John Gotti
May 21, 2002, marked the end of the underworld reign of John Gotti, the notorious American gangster and head of the powerful Gambino crime family in New York City. His death was followed by dramatic shifts in the criminal underworld dynamics.
Fact 19: Edmund Hillary Reaches South Pole
On May 21, 1958, Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber to conquer Mount Everest, reached the South Pole. He was one of the first to achieve this feat using only motor vehicles.
Fact 20: The "Lost" Finale Aired
Concluding a television series that had viewers hooked for six seasons, the finale of the supernatural drama series "Lost" was aired on May 21, 2010. The shrouded mysteries and unexpected plot twists in its storyline made the series a pop culture phenomenon.