✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 80th day of the year

March 21

A look at March 21 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Johann Sebastian Bach and Emperor Taizu of Song, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♈ZodiacAries ◈BirthstoneAquamarine ❀Birth flowerDaffodil
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2019

    2019 Xiangshui chemical plant explosion

    The 2019 Xiangshui chemical plant explosion occurs, killing at least 47 people and injuring 640 others.

    Fatal explosion in Jiangsu,
  2. 2000

    Pope John Paul II

    Pope John Paul II makes his first ever pontifical visit to Israel.

    Head of the Catholic
  3. 1990

    Namibia

    Namibia becomes independent after 75 years of South African rule.

    Country in Southern Africa
  4. 1946

    Los Angeles Rams

    The Los Angeles Rams sign Kenny Washington, making him the first African American player in professional American football since 1933.

    National Football League franchise
  5. 1945

    World War II

    World War II: British troops liberate Mandalay, Burma.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1928

    Charles Lindbergh

    Charles Lindbergh is presented with the Medal of Honor for the first solo trans-Atlantic flight.

    American aviator (1902–1974)
  7. 1918

    World War I

    World War I: The first phase of the German spring offensive, Operation Michael, begins.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  8. 1861

    Alexander H. Stephens

    Alexander H. Stephens gives the Cornerstone Speech.

    Vice President of the
  9. 1844

    Baháʼí calendar

    The Baháʼí calendar begins. This is the first day of the first year of the Baháʼí calendar. It is annually celebrated by members of the Baháʼí Faith as the Baháʼí New Year or Náw-Rúz.

    Calendar of the Baháʼí
  10. 1788

    Great New Orleans Fire (1788)

    A fire in New Orleans leaves most of the town in ruins.

    1788 fire in Spanish-controlled
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Famous birthday twins

Born on March 21

Johann Sebastian Bach

b. 1685

German Baroque composer and musician

Emperor Taizu of Song

b. 927

Emperor of China from 960 to 976

Joseph Fourier

b. 1768

French mathematician and physicist

Ayrton Senna

b. 1960

Brazilian race car driver

Cenk Uygur

b. 1970

Turkish-American political activist

Matthew Broderick

b. 1962

American actor

Lothar Matthäus

b. 1961

German footballer and manager

Ronaldinho

b. 1980

Brazilian footballer

Deaths

  • 2017Martin McGuinness, Irish republican and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
  • 2013Pietro Mennea, Italian sprinter and politician
  • 1998Galina Ulanova, Russian ballerina
  • 1945Arthur Nebe, German SS officer
  • 1936Alexander Glazunov, Russian composer and conductor
  • 1556Thomas Cranmer, English archbishop

Holidays & observances

  • —Arbor Day (Lesotho)
  • —Arbor Day (Portugal)
  • —Christian feast day: Augustine Zhao Rong
  • —Christian feast day: Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello
  • —Christian feast day: Passing of Saint Benedict (Order of Saint Benedict, pre-1970 Calendar)
  • —Christian feast day: Birillus
  • —Christian feast day: Enda of Aran
  • —Christian feast day: Nicholas of Flüe

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