✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 355th day of the year

December 21

A look at December 21 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Kurt Waldheim and Masaccio, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 1995

    Bethlehem

    The city of Bethlehem passes from Israeli to Palestinian control.

    City in the West
  2. 1992

    Netherlands

    A Dutch DC-10, flight Martinair MP 495, crashes at Faro Airport, Portugal, killing 56.

    Country in Northwestern Europe
  3. 1988

    Pan Am Flight 103

    A bomb explodes on board Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, killing 270. This is to date the deadliest air disaster to occur on British soil.

    1988 aircraft bombing over
  4. 1941

    World War II

    World War II: A Thai-Japanese Pact of Alliance is signed.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  5. 1934

    Lieutenant Kijé (Prokofiev)

    Lieutenant Kijé, one of Sergei Prokofiev's best-known works, premiered.

    1934 film music and
  6. 1923

    Nepal

    United Kingdom and Nepal formally sign an agreement of friendship, called the Nepal–Britain Treaty of 1923, which superseded the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1816.

    Country in South Asia
  7. 1919

    Anarchism

    American anarchist Emma Goldman is deported to Russia.

    Political philosophy and movement
  8. 1879

    Nora Helmer

    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.

    Character in the play
  9. 1844

    Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers

    The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers commences business at its cooperative in Rochdale, England, starting the Cooperative movement.

    British consumer co-operative
  10. 1237

    Ryazan

    The city of Ryazan is sacked by the Mongol army of Batu Khan.

    City in Ryazan Oblast,
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Famous birthday twins

Born on December 21

Kurt Waldheim

b. 1918

Austrian colonel and politician; 9th President of Austria

Masaccio

b. 1401

Italian painter

Chris Evert

b. 1954

American tennis player and coach

Hu Jintao

b. 1942

Chinese engineer and politician, 5th Paramount leader of China

Florence Griffith Joyner

b. 1959

American sprinter and actress

Rutina Wesley

b. 1978

American actress

Adele Goldstine

b. 1920

American computer programmer

Konstantin Rokossovsky

b. 1896

Marshal of the Soviet Union during World War II

Deaths

  • 1992Stella Adler, American actress and educator
  • 1992Albert King, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
  • 1935Kurt Tucholsky, German-Swedish journalist and author
  • 1597Peter Canisius, Dutch priest and saint
  • 1375Giovanni Boccaccio, Italian author and poet
  • 72AD 72, Roman martyr and saint (born 1 AD)

Holidays & observances

  • —Armed Forces Day (Philippines)
  • —Christian feast day: O Oriens
  • —Christian feast day: Peter Canisius
  • —Christian feast day: Thomas the Apostle
  • —Christian feast day: December 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —Forefathers' Day (Plymouth, Massachusetts)
  • —São Tomé Day (São Tomé and Príncipe)

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