November 21 holds a remarkable array of historical events that span centuries and disciplines. From the birth of Enlightenment thinker Voltaire in 1694 to the groundbreaking announcement of Thomas Edison’s phonograph in 1877, this date has witnessed pivotal moments. Tragedies, cultural milestones, and scientific strides also mark its legacy. What other significant occurrences define this day? Uncover the full scope of November 21’s impact across time.
History
Major Historical Events
1694 – Voltaire is Born: On this day, the French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher François-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name Voltaire, was born in Paris.
His sharp wit and criticism of the church and state made him a key figure in shaping modern thought, advocating for civil liberties and freedom of expression.
1877 – Thomas Edison Announces the Phonograph: Thomas Edison revealed his invention of the phonograph, the first device capable of recording and playing back sound, on November 21.
This groundbreaking technology, initially using tinfoil cylinders, revolutionized the music industry and paved the way for modern audio recording.
1964 – Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Opens: The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City, officially opened to traffic on this date.
At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, symbolizing a major feat of engineering and improving transportation in the region.
1974 – Birmingham Pub Bombings: Tragedy struck in Birmingham, England, when two pubs were bombed by the Provisional IRA, killing 21 people and injuring 182 others.
This devastating attack remains one of the deadliest acts of terrorism during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
1986 – Iran-Contra Affair Revealed: On November 21, the Iran-Contra Affair came to light when it was reported that the Reagan administration had secretly sold weapons to Iran and funneled the profits to support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
This political scandal raised serious questions about government transparency and ethics.
Famous Birthdays
1694 – Voltaire: The influential French writer and philosopher, known for his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion, was born on this day in Paris.
His works, including *Candide*, remain celebrated for their critique of societal norms.
1965 – Björk: Icelandic singer, songwriter, and actress Björk Guðmundsdóttir was born on November 21 in Reykjavík.
Known for her eclectic music style and innovative artistry, she has become a global icon in alternative and experimental music.
1984 – Jena Malone: American actress Jena Malone, recognized for her roles in films like *Donnie Darko* and *The Hunger Games* series, was born on this day in Sparks, Nevada.
Her versatile performances have earned her critical acclaim.
1945 – Goldie Hawn: Academy Award-winning actress and comedian Goldie Hawn was born on November 21 in Washington, D.C.
Known for her roles in films like *Private Benjamin* and *Overboard*, she remains a beloved figure in Hollywood.
Notable Deaths
1555 – Georg Agricola: The German scholar and scientist, often called the “father of mineralogy,” passed away on this day in Chemnitz.
His seminal work, *De Re Metallica*, laid the foundation for modern geology and mining techniques.
1916 – Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria: On November 21, Emperor Franz Joseph I, who ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire for nearly 68 years, died in Vienna.
His reign saw significant political changes and conflicts, including the lead-up to World War I.
1996 – Abdus Salam: Pakistani physicist and Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the theory of the electroweak force, passed away on this day in Oxford, England.
His work remains foundational in particle physics.
Today in Music History
1960 – George Harrison Deported from Germany: On November 21, a young George Harrison, then a member of The Beatles, was deported from Hamburg, Germany, for being under 18 and lacking a work permit.
This incident occurred during the band’s early performances in the city’s clubs, a formative period for their later success.
1980 – Don Henley Arrested: Eagles drummer and singer Don Henley was arrested on this day in Los Angeles after authorities found drugs and a minor at his home.
The incident drew significant media attention but did not derail his successful career.
1995 – The Beatles’ *Anthology 1* Released: On November 21, *Anthology 1*, the first of a three-volume set of Beatles recordings, was released, featuring rare tracks and outtakes.
It marked a major event for fans, offering new insights into the band’s creative process.
Today in Sports History
1925 – Red Grange’s Historic NFL Debut: On November 21, football legend Red Grange made his professional debut with the Chicago Bears, drawing a massive crowd of 36,000 to Wrigley Field.
His performance helped legitimize professional football as a major sport in the United States.
1973 – Pete Rose Wins NL MVP: Cincinnati Reds outfielder Pete Rose was named the National League MVP on this day, recognizing his outstanding season with a .338 batting average.
Rose would go on to become baseball’s all-time hits leader.
1990 – Michael Jordan Scores 52 Points: On November 21, Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan scored 52 points in a game against the Denver Nuggets, showcasing his dominance as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
Today in Military and Naval History
1916 – HMHS Britannic Sinks: On this day, the HMHS Britannic, sister ship to the Titanic, sank in the Aegean Sea after striking a mine during World War I.
Serving as a hospital ship, it tragically lost 30 lives despite efforts to save the crew and passengers.
1944 – Battle of Tarawa Continues: On November 21, U.S. Marines continued their fierce assault on the Japanese-held island of Tarawa in the Pacific during World War II.
The brutal battle, part of the Gilbert Islands campaign, resulted in heavy casualties but marked a key step in the Allied advance.
1967 – Vietnam War Escalates: On this day, U.S. General William Westmoreland stated that the enemy was “certainly losing” in Vietnam, a claim later criticized as overly optimistic amid the ongoing and costly conflict.
Today in Tech and Science History
1877 – Edison’s Phonograph Invention: Thomas Edison announced his invention of the phonograph on November 21, marking a turning point in sound technology.
His device, capable of recording and replaying audio, laid the groundwork for the modern music industry.
1969 – First ARPANET Link Established: On this day, the first permanent ARPANET link was established between UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute, a critical milestone in the development of the internet.
This connection became the foundation for global digital communication.
2002 – NASA’s Stardust Mission Update: On November 21, NASA confirmed that the Stardust spacecraft, launched to collect comet dust, successfully completed a critical maneuver.
This mission later returned the first comet samples to Earth, advancing our understanding of the solar system.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1922 – Rebecca Latimer Felton Sworn In: On November 21, Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia became the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, though her appointment was symbolic and lasted only one day.
Her swearing-in marked a historic moment for women in American politics.
1970 – *A Clockwork Orange* Film Premiere Nears: On this day, preparations were underway for the upcoming release of Stanley Kubrick’s controversial film *A Clockwork Orange*, based on Anthony Burgess’s novel.
The film, though premiered later, stirred cultural debates about violence and morality.
1983 – Michael Jackson’s *Thriller* Video Filming Begins: On November 21, filming started for the iconic music video of Michael Jackson’s *Thriller*.
Directed by John Landis, it became a cultural phenomenon, redefining music videos as an art form.
1991 – *Beauty and the Beast* Released: Disney’s animated classic *Beauty and the Beast* premiered on this day, earning critical acclaim and becoming the first animated film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
Its impact on animation and storytelling endures.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1783 – First Manned Hot Air Balloon Flight Attempt: On November 21, just weeks after the first unmanned flight, French brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier prepared for the first manned hot air balloon flight in Paris, though it officially lifted off days later.
The idea of humans floating in a basket seemed utterly bizarre at the time.
1979 – Disco Demolition Night Aftermath: While the infamous Disco Demolition Night occurred earlier, on November 21, 1979, a Chicago radio station faced ongoing backlash for the chaotic event where fans destroyed disco records at a baseball game, reflecting the odd cultural clash of the era.
2004 – SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Premiere: On this day, *The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie* hit theaters, bringing a quirky underwater world to the big screen.
The absurdity of a talking sponge leading a feature film amused audiences and cemented its oddball charm.
Today in History for Kids
1877 – Sound Recording is Born: On November 21, Thomas Edison showed the world his new invention, the phonograph, which could record and play back sounds like voices or music.
Imagine hearing your own voice played back for the first time—it was like magic!
1964 – A Giant Bridge Opens: A huge bridge called the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in New York City on this day, connecting two big areas over water.
It was so long that it was the biggest of its kind in the world back then!
1991 – A Magical Movie Comes Out: Disney’s *Beauty and the Beast* came to theaters on November 21, telling the story of Belle and a kind-hearted beast.
Kids everywhere loved the songs and the idea that true beauty is on the inside.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1694 – Voltaire’s Early Life: Did you know that Voltaire, born on this day, was imprisoned in the Bastille twice for his controversial writings?
His bold ideas often got him in trouble, but they also inspired revolutions.
1916 – Britannic’s Tragic Fate: The HMHS Britannic, which sank on November 21, was actually designed to be safer than the Titanic, with more lifeboats.
Yet, it still met a tragic end during wartime, showing how unpredictable disasters can be.
1969 – Internet’s Baby Steps: The first ARPANET connection on this day was so basic that it crashed after just two letters were sent.
It’s hard to imagine now, but that tiny step started the internet we use every day.
1983 – *Thriller* Video’s Impact: When Michael Jackson’s *Thriller* video began filming on November 21, no one knew it would become a 14-minute mini-movie.
It changed how artists tell stories through music videos forever.
2002 – Stardust’s Cosmic Journey: NASA’s Stardust mission, which had a key update on this day, traveled over 2 billion miles to collect tiny comet particles.
Those specks helped scientists learn secrets about how our solar system formed.