March 21 marks a tapestry of significant historical events that span centuries and disciplines. From the birth of musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach in 1685 to the establishment of the influential Napoleonic Code in 1804, this date has shaped culture and law. Pivotal moments like the closure of Alcatraz Prison in 1963 also stand out. Curious about other defining milestones? There’s much more to uncover on this remarkable day.
History
Major Historical Events
1685 – Birth of Johann Sebastian Bach: On this day, the renowned German composer and musician Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany.
A key figure in the Baroque period, Bach’s compositions, including the Brandenburg Concertos and the Mass in B Minor, remain some of the most influential works in classical music history.
1804 – Napoleonic Code Enacted: The Napoleonic Code, also known as the Civil Code of 1804, was established in France under Napoleon Bonaparte on March 21.
This legal framework became a cornerstone of modern civil law, influencing legal systems worldwide with its emphasis on clearly written and accessible law.
1963 – Alcatraz Prison Closes: The infamous federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay officially closed its doors on this date.
Often called “The Rock,” it housed some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, and its closure marked the end of an era in U.S. penal history.
1980 – U.S. Boycott of Moscow Olympics Announced: President Jimmy Carter announced on March 21 that the United States would boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow as a protest against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
This decision was a significant moment in Cold War tensions.
2006 – Twitter is Founded: On this day, the social media platform Twitter was launched when co-founder Jack Dorsey sent the first tweet.
This marked the beginning of a new era in digital communication, transforming how people share information and connect globally.
Famous Birthdays
1685 – Johann Sebastian Bach: As mentioned earlier, the legendary composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born on this day in Eisenach, Germany.
His contributions to music continue to inspire generations of musicians and composers.
1946 – Timothy Dalton: British actor Timothy Dalton, known for his portrayal of James Bond in films like “The Living Daylights” and “Licence to Kill,” was born on March 21 in Colwyn Bay, Wales.
His intense and serious take on the iconic spy role earned him critical acclaim.
1962 – Matthew Broderick: American actor Matthew Broderick, famous for his roles in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and as the voice of Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King,” was born on this day in New York City.
His versatility has made him a beloved figure in film and theater.
1980 – Ronaldinho: Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, whose full name is Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, was born on March 21 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Known for his incredible skill and joyful style of play, he won the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice during his illustrious career.
Notable Deaths
1556 – Thomas Cranmer: Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury who played a key role in the English Reformation, was executed by burning at the stake on March 21 in Oxford, England.
His death under Queen Mary I marked a tragic chapter in religious conflicts of the era.
1857 – Abraham Gesner: Canadian physician and geologist Abraham Gesner, credited with inventing kerosene, passed away on this date in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
His innovation revolutionized lighting and industrial processes in the 19th century.
2017 – Chuck Barris: American television producer and host Chuck Barris, known for creating popular game shows like “The Gong Show” and “The Dating Game,” died on March 21 in Palisades, New York.
His quirky contributions left a lasting mark on entertainment.
Today in Music History
1961 – The Beatles’ First Performance at The Cavern Club: On March 21, The Beatles performed for the first time at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.
This venue became a vital part of their early career, helping them build a dedicated fanbase before achieving global fame.
1987 – U2’s “The Joshua Tree” Hits the Charts: U2’s iconic album “The Joshua Tree” reached number one on the UK Albums Chart on this day.
Featuring hits like “With or Without You,” the album solidified the band’s status as rock music giants.
1991 – Madonna’s “Rescue Me” Peaks: Madonna’s single “Rescue Me” reached its peak position on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 21.
The song showcased her continued dominance in pop music during the early 1990s.
Today in Sports History
1934 – Babe Didrikson Zaharias Wins Golf Tournament: On this day, the remarkable athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias won her first major golf tournament, the Texas Women’s Amateur Championship.
Her versatility across multiple sports made her a trailblazer for women in athletics.
1980 – J.R. Richard Sets Strikeout Record: Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard set a spring training strikeout record on March 21, fanning 15 batters in a single game.
His performance hinted at the dominant season ahead before tragedy struck later that year.
1997 – Tara Lipinski Becomes Youngest World Champion: American figure skater Tara Lipinski won the World Figure Skating Championships on March 21 at the age of 14, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history at that time.
Her achievement fascinated audiences worldwide.
2019 – Ichiro Suzuki Retires: Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki played his final game on March 21 in Tokyo, retiring after a storied career with the Seattle Mariners and other teams.
Known for his hitting prowess, he left an indelible mark on Major League Baseball.
Today in Military and Naval History
1918 – German Spring Offensive Begins: On March 21, Germany launched the Spring Offensive during World War I, a series of attacks aimed at breaking through Allied lines on the Western Front.
Known as Operation Michael, it initially succeeded but ultimately failed to achieve a decisive victory.
1943 – Attempted Assassination of Hitler: A group of German officers attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler on this day by smuggling a bomb onto his plane.
The plot, part of the wider resistance against the Nazi regime, failed when the bomb did not detonate.
1960 – USS Independence Commissioned: The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Independence, a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier, on March 21.
It served during the Cold War and played significant roles in various conflicts before being decommissioned in 1998.
Today in Tech and Science History
1821 – First Natural Gas Well Discovered in the U.S.: On this day, the first commercial natural gas well in the United States was discovered in Fredonia, New York.
This marked an early step in the development of the natural gas industry in America.
2006 – First Tweet Sent: As noted earlier, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey sent the first-ever tweet on March 21, simply stating, “just setting up my twttr.”
This moment launched a platform that would reshape global communication.
2016 – Apple Introduces iPhone SE: Apple introduced the first-generation iPhone SE on March 21, a compact yet powerful smartphone that appealed to users seeking a smaller device with cutting-edge features.
It became a popular model in Apple’s lineup.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1925 – Tennessee Bans Teaching of Evolution: On March 21, Tennessee Governor Austin Peay signed the Butler Act into law, prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools.
This controversial legislation led to the infamous Scopes Trial later that year.
1952 – First Rock and Roll Concert: Often credited as the first rock and roll concert, the Moondog Coronation Ball took place on March 21 in Cleveland, Ohio, organized by DJ Alan Freed.
Though it was shut down due to overcrowding, it marked a cultural milestone.
1960 – Premiere of “Psycho” Trailer: Alfred Hitchcock released the groundbreaking trailer for his film “Psycho” on this day, building anticipation for one of the most iconic horror movies in history.
The film itself premiered later that year.
2011 – “The Hunger Games” Published: The first novel in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series, “The Hunger Games,” saw significant attention on March 21 as its movie adaptation neared.
The book’s cultural impact continued to grow with the film franchise.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1871 – First Official Rodeo Held: On March 21, the first documented rodeo took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming, though some sources debate the exact date.
Cowboys competing in roping and riding events laid the foundation for a uniquely American sport, often with hilarious mishaps in early competitions.
1960 – Racoon Causes Power Outage: A curious raccoon climbed into a power station in New York on this day, causing a massive blackout across parts of the city.
The incident became a quirky footnote in urban history, reminding us how nature can disrupt modern life.
1989 – Random Act of Kindness Goes Viral (Pre-Internet): On March 21, a small-town newspaper in Iowa reported a mysterious person paying for strangers’ groceries, sparking a wave of similar acts across the community.
Long before social media, this odd but heartwarming story spread by word of mouth.
Today in History for Kids
1685 – A Music Genius is Born: Kids, imagine creating music so amazing that people still love it hundreds of years later!
On March 21, Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Germany.
He wrote songs for organs, choirs, and orchestras that are still played in concerts today.
1804 – A Big Rulebook for France: A long time ago, on this day, France made a set of rules called the Napoleonic Code.
It was like a giant instruction book for how people should behave and solve problems fairly, and it helped many countries make their own rules.
1963 – A Scary Prison Closes: Picture a tiny island with a huge, creepy prison called Alcatraz.
On March 21, it shut down forever!
It was a place for really tough criminals, but now it’s just a museum you can visit.
2006 – The First Tweet: Hey kids, do you know what Twitter is?
On this day, the very first message was sent on Twitter, kind of like sending a super short note to everyone in the world.
It changed how we talk to each other online!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? First U.S. Zoo Proposal: On March 21, 1859, a proposal for what would become the Philadelphia Zoo was discussed, though it officially opened years later.
It’s fascinating to think this was one of the earliest steps toward public zoos in America.
Did You Know? Longest Filibuster Began: On March 21, 1953, U.S. Senator Wayne Morse began a filibuster that lasted over 22 hours, one of the longest in history at the time.
He spoke against a bill he opposed, showing how determination can literally take the floor.
Did You Know? A Day for Poetry: March 21 is also recognized as World Poetry Day, established by UNESCO in 1999.
It’s a cool reminder to celebrate the beauty of words and creativity across cultures.
Did You Know? Early TV Milestone: On March 21, 1951, the first color television broadcast of a surgical operation was aired, a groundbreaking moment in both medical and media history.
It showed how technology could educate in real-time.
Did You Know? Puppet Show Premiere: The beloved children’s show “Thunderbirds,” featuring marionette puppets, had significant production milestones around March 21 in the 1960s, captivating young audiences with futuristic adventures.