✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 294th day of the year

October 21

A look at October 21 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Hongwu Emperor and Almen Abdi, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♎ZodiacLibra ◈BirthstoneOpal ❀Birth flowerMarigold
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2019

    Canada

    In Canada, the 2019 Canadian federal election ends, resulting in incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remaining in office, albeit with the Liberal Party in a minority government.

    Country in North America
  2. 2003

    Eris (dwarf planet)

    Images of the dwarf planet Eris are taken and subsequently used in documenting its discovery.

    Most massive dwarf planet
  3. 1994

    Agreed Framework

    North Korea and the United States sign an Agreed Framework that requires North Korea to stop its nuclear weapons program and agree to inspections.

    1994 nuclear agreement between
  4. 1989

    Honduras

    In Honduras, 131 people are killed when a Boeing 727 crashes on approach to Toncontín International Airport near the nation's capital Tegucigalpa.

    Country in Central America
  5. 1959

    Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

    In New York City, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opens to the public.

    Art museum in Manhattan,
  6. 1941

    World War II

    World War II: The Kragujevac massacre against Serbian men and boys takes place.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1910

    HMS Niobe (1897)

    HMS Niobe arrives in Halifax Harbour to become the first ship of the Royal Canadian Navy.

    Cruiser of the British
  8. 1867

    Medicine Lodge Treaty

    The Medicine Lodge Treaty is signed by southern Great Plains Indian leaders. The treaty requires Native American Plains tribes to relocate to a reservation in the western Indian Territory.

    1867 resettlement agreement between
  9. 1854

    Florence Nightingale

    Florence Nightingale and a staff of 38 nurses are sent to the Crimean War.

    English founder of modern
  10. 1097

    First Crusade

    First Crusade: Crusaders led by Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemund of Taranto, and Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, begin the Siege of Antioch.

    1096–1099 Christian re-conquest of
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Famous birthday twins

Born on October 21

Hongwu Emperor

b. 1328

of China

Almen Abdi

b. 1986

Swiss footballer

Alfred Nobel

b. 1833

Swedish chemist and engineer, invented dynamite and founded the Nobel Prize

Michael McMillian

b. 1978

American actor

Benjamin Netanyahu

b. 1949

Israeli captain and politician, 9th Prime Minister of Israel

Festus Ezeli

b. 1989

Nigerian-American basketball player

Dizzy Gillespie

b. 1917

American trumpet player, composer, and bandleader

Nikita Mikhalkov

b. 1945

Russian filmmaker

Deaths

  • 2014Gough Whitlam, Australian lieutenant, lawyer, and politician, 21st Prime Minister of Australia
  • 2012Yash Chopra, Indian director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1984François Truffaut, French actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1944Alois Kayser, German-French missionary
  • 1931Arthur Schnitzler, Austrian author and playwright
  • 1505Paul Scriptoris, German mathematician and educator

Holidays & observances

  • —Armed Forces Day (Honduras)
  • —Christian feast day: Céline of Laon
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Charles of Austria (Roman Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Fintán of Taghmon
  • —Christian feast day: Hilarion
  • —Christian feast day: John of Bridlington
  • —Christian feast day: Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena
  • —Christian feast day: Malchus of Syria

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