April 21 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a range of pivotal events and notable figures. From the legendary founding of Rome in 753 BC to the births of literary giant Charlotte Brontë and monarch Queen Elizabeth II, this day spans centuries of impact. Cultural and technological milestones also dot its timeline, promising a fascinating exploration of human achievement and tragedy. Curious about the details?
History
2016 – Death of Prince: The iconic American musician Prince Rogers Nelson passed away on this date at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota.
His death shocked the world, and he is remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to music, including hits like “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry.”
Famous Birthdays
1816 – Charlotte Brontë: The English novelist and poet, best known for her classic work “Jane Eyre,” was born on this day in Thornton, West Yorkshire.
Her writing explored themes of morality, love, and independence, leaving a lasting impact on literature.
1926 – Queen Elizabeth II: Born in London, Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning British monarch in history.
Her reign, beginning in 1952, spanned over seven decades, during which she became a symbol of continuity and stability for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
1935 – Charles Grodin: The American actor and comedian, known for his roles in films like “Midnight Run” and “Beethoven,” was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
His sharp wit and deadpan delivery made him a beloved figure in entertainment.
1979 – James McAvoy: The Scottish actor, recognized for his roles in “Atonement,” “Split,” and as young Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” series, was born on this day in Glasgow.
His versatile performances have earned him critical acclaim across genres.
Notable Deaths
1910 – Mark Twain: The American author and humorist, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, passed away on this day in Redding, Connecticut.
Known for classics like “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” his works remain cornerstones of American literature.
1996 – Dzhokhar Dudayev: The first president of the breakaway Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was killed on this date during the First Chechen War.
His death, caused by a Russian missile strike, was a significant event in the conflict between Chechnya and Russia.
2016 – Prince: The legendary musician, known simply as Prince, died on this day at the age of 57 in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
His innovative style and genre-defying music left an indelible mark on the industry.
Today in Music History
1963 – The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Meet: On this day, The Beatles met The Rolling Stones for the first time at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, England.
This encounter marked the beginning of a friendly rivalry between two of the most influential bands in rock history.
1970 – Elton John’s First U.S. Performance: Elton John performed in the United States for the first time on this date, opening for Leon Russell at The Troubadour in Los Angeles.
This performance launched his career in America, leading to decades of chart-topping success.
1984 – “Against All Odds” Hits No. 1: Phil Collins’ song “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on this day.
Written for the film of the same name, it became one of his signature hits and won a Grammy Award.
Today in Sports History
1895 – First Modern Weightlifting Competition: On this day, the first recorded modern weightlifting competition took place in London, England.
This event helped establish weightlifting as a recognized sport, paving the way for its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
1967 – Joe Louis Retires from Boxing: Legendary boxer Joe Louis announced his retirement on this date after a storied career as the heavyweight champion.
Known as the “Brown Bomber,” he held the title from 1937 to 1949 and remains an icon in the sport.
1980 – Rosie Ruiz’s Boston Marathon Scandal: Rosie Ruiz was stripped of her Boston Marathon title on this day after it was discovered she had cheated by joining the race near the finish line.
Her deception became one of the most infamous scandals in marathon history.
2014 – Meb Keflezighi Wins Boston Marathon: On this day, Meb Keflezighi became the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983.
His victory, just a year after the tragic bombing at the event, was a powerful symbol of resilience.
Today in Military and Naval History
1918 – Red Baron Shot Down: German fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, was killed in action on this day during World War I.
Shot down by Allied forces over France, his death ended the career of one of history’s most famous aviators.
1945 – Soviet Forces Near Berlin: During World War II, Soviet troops under Marshal Georgy Zhukov reached the outskirts of Berlin on this day, marking the beginning of the final assault on the Nazi capital.
This would lead to the fall of Berlin and the end of the war in Europe.
1967 – Greek Military Coup: A group of colonels staged a military coup in Greece on this day, overthrowing the government and establishing a junta.
Known as the “Regime of the Colonels,” this dictatorship lasted until 1974 and profoundly affected Greek politics.
Today in Tech and Science History
1965 – Intelsat I Launched: On this day, Intelsat I, the first commercial communications satellite, was launched into orbit.
Nicknamed “Early Bird,” it enabled the first live transatlantic television broadcasts, revolutionizing global communication.
1983 – First Cordless Phone Introduced: Motorola introduced the first commercially available cordless phone, the DynaTAC, on this day.
This innovation marked a significant step toward modern mobile communication technology.
2008 – First 3D Live Broadcast: On this day, the first live 3D television broadcast was transmitted during a concert by the rock band The Cure in London.
This event showcased the potential of 3D technology in entertainment.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1816 – Charlotte Brontë’s Birth: The celebrated author of “Jane Eyre” was born on this day, contributing profoundly to English literature with her exploration of complex human emotions and societal constraints.
1924 – Eleonora Duse’s Death: Italian actress Eleonora Duse, often compared to Sarah Bernhardt for her dramatic talent, passed away on this day in Pittsburgh during a U.S. tour.
She was renowned for her naturalistic acting style and emotional depth.
1969 – First International Prize for Literature: The first International Prize for Literature was awarded on this day to Samuel Beckett, the Irish playwright and novelist.
Known for works like “Waiting for Godot,” his contributions reshaped modern theater and literature.
1986 – Geraldo Rivera’s Al Capone Vault Broadcast: On this day, television host Geraldo Rivera hosted a live special opening a vault believed to belong to Al Capone in Chicago.
The highly publicized event drew millions of viewers but famously revealed nothing of value, becoming a cultural footnote.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1934 – Loch Ness Monster Photo Published: On this day, the famous “Surgeon’s Photograph” of the Loch Ness Monster was published in the Daily Mail.
Later revealed to be a hoax, the image fueled decades of speculation and fascination with the mythical creature.
1986 – Al Capone’s Empty Vault: In a bizarre moment of television history, Geraldo Rivera’s live broadcast of opening Al Capone’s supposed vault on this day revealed nothing but dirt and debris, turning the hyped event into a comedic disappointment.
2007 – World’s Largest Hula Hoop Record: On this day, Ashrita Furman set a Guinness World Record for spinning the world’s largest hula hoop, measuring over 51 feet in diameter, in New York.
His quirky achievement highlighted the diversity of world records.
Today in History for Kids
753 BC – Rome is Founded (Maybe!): Long ago, people believe a man named Romulus started the city of Rome on this day.
It’s a cool story about how one of the world’s most famous cities began, even if we’re not totally sure it happened exactly like that.
1926 – A Queen is Born: Queen Elizabeth II of England was born on this day.
She became a queen when she was young and ruled for a super long time, meeting leaders and helping people all over the world.
1960 – A New Capital for Brazil: A brand-new city called Brasília became the capital of Brazil on this day.
It was built from scratch with amazing buildings to be a special place for the country’s leaders.
1989 – Students Stand Up in China: In a big square in Beijing, students started gathering on this day to ask for more freedom and better rules.
It was a brave thing to do, and it’s an important part of history.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Founding of Rome: April 21 is celebrated as the birthday of Rome, based on ancient stories.
Romans even had a big festival called Parilia to honor this day with feasts and games.
Did You Know? – Red Baron’s Mystery: While the Red Baron was shot down on this day in 1918, historians still debate who fired the fatal shot.
Some credit Canadian pilot Roy Brown, while others believe it was an Australian ground unit.
Did You Know? – Queen Elizabeth’s Long Reign: Born on April 21, 1926, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning British monarch, serving over 70 years until her passing in 2022, witnessing incredible changes in the world.
Did You Know? – Prince’s Purple Legacy: Prince, who tragically died on this day in 2016, was so connected to the color purple because of his album “Purple Rain” that fans often wear the color to honor him.
Did You Know? – Loch Ness Hoax: The famous Loch Ness Monster photo from April 21, 1934, was admitted to be a fake in 1994 by one of the men involved, who said it was made with a toy submarine and a model head.