✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 264th day of the year

September 21

A look at September 21 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Leonard Cohen and Kwame Nkrumah, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 1996

    Defense of Marriage Act

    The Defense of Marriage Act is passed by the United States Congress.

    1996 U.S. federal law,
  2. 1981

    Belize

    Belize is granted full independence from the United Kingdom.

    Country in Central America
  3. 1971

    Bahrain

    Bahrain, Bhutan and Qatar join the United Nations.

    Country in West Asia
  4. 1964

    Malta

    Malta gains independence from the United Kingdom, but remains in the Commonwealth.

    Island country in Southern
  5. 1938

    1938 New England hurricane

    The Great Hurricane of 1938 makes landfall on Long Island in New York. The death toll is estimated at 500–700 people.

    Category 5 Atlantic hurricane
  6. 1937

    J. R. R. Tolkien

    J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is published for the first time. (September 22 is celebrated by some fans as Hobbit Day, however.)

    English writer and philologist
  7. 1934

    1934 Muroto typhoon

    A large typhoon hits western Honshū, Japan, killing more than 3,000 people.

    Pacific typhoon hitting Japan
  8. 1780

    American Revolutionary War

    American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold gives the British the plans to West Point.

    1775–1783 conflict in North
  9. 1776

    New York City

    Part of New York City is burned shortly after being occupied by British forces.

    Most populous city in
  10. 1170

    Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland

    Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland: The Kingdom of Dublin falls to Anglo-Norman invaders.

    12th-century invasion
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Famous birthday twins

Born on September 21

Leonard Cohen

b. 1934

Canadian singer-songwriter and poet

Kwame Nkrumah

b. 1909

Ghanaian educator and politician, 1st President of Ghana

Jingtai Emperor

b. 1428

of China

Paulo Costanzo

b. 1978

Canadian actor, director, and producer

Dénes Kőnig

b. 1884

Hungarian mathematician and theorist

Bill Murray

b. 1950

American actor, comedian, producer, and screenwriter

Barbara Longhi

b. 1552

Italian painter

Stephen King

b. 1947

American author and screenwriter

Deaths

  • 1998Florence Griffith Joyner, American sprinter
  • 1880Manuel Montt, Chilean scholar and politician, 6th President of Chile
  • 1860Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher and author
  • 1558Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, Holy Roman Emperor from 1519 to 1556
  • 1327Edward II, of England
  • -19Virgil, Roman poet (born 70 BC)

Holidays & observances

  • —Autumnal equinox observances in the Northern Hemisphere, vernal equinox observances in the Southern Hemisphere (see September 22): Spring Day (Argentina)
  • —Christian feast day: Cadoc
  • —Christian feast day: Ephigenia of Ethiopia
  • —Christian feast day: Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert (one of the Korean Martyrs)
  • —Christian feast day: Matthew the Evangelist (Western Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Maura of Troyes
  • —Christian feast day: Nativity of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox Church, Julian calendar)
  • —Christian feast day: September 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

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