On This Day in History — April 21

Highlights of April 21

• 2021 — The Indonesian Navy submarine Nanggala imploded and sank in the Bali Sea, resulting in the deaths of all 53 people on board. Read more
• 2014 — The city of Flint, Michigan, U.S., changed its water source to the Flint River, which exposed residents to lead poisoning.a Read more
• 2010 — Ukraine and Russia signed the Kharkiv Pact, extending the Russian lease on naval facilities in Crimea. Read more
• 1975 — South Vietnamese president Nguyễn Văn Thiệu resigned on hearing of the fall of Xuân Lộc, the last battle of the Vietnam War. Read more
• 1970 — In response to a dispute over wheat production quotas, Leonard Casley declared his 75 km2 (29 sq mi) farm in Western Australia to be an independent country as the Hutt River Province. Read more
• 1967 — A violent tornado strikes multiple schools and destroys houses in Belvidere, Illinois, United States, causing over 450 casualties. Read more
• 1962 — The Century 21 Exposition, the first world's fair in the United States since World War II, opened in Seattle. Read more
• 1960 — Brasília, a planned city primarily designed by architect and urban planner Lúcio Costa, was officially inaugurated, replacing Rio de Janeiro as the capital of Brazil. Read more
• 1958 — United Airlines Flight 736 collided with a U.S. Air Force fighter jet over southern Nevada, resulting in the deaths of all 49 people on board both aircraft. Read more
• 1836 — Forces of the Republic of Texas led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexican troops of Antonio López de Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive and final battle of the Texas Revolution. Read more
• 1789 — The Ladies of Trenton social club hosted a reception for President-elect George Washington as he journeyed to New York City for his first inauguration. Read more
• 1725 — J. S. Bach's cantata Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, was first performed on Easter Monday. Read more
• 1615 — The Wignacourt Aqueduct (pictured) in Malta was inaugurated, and was used to carry water to Valletta for about 300 years. Read more
• 1526 — Ibrahim Khan Lodi, the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, was defeated and killed by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat, marking the beginning of Mughal rule in India. Read more
• 995 — Ælfric of Abingdon was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Read more
• 900 — A debt was pardoned by the chief of Tondo on the island of Luzon and recorded on the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the earliest known calendar-dated document found in the Philippines. Read more
• 43 BC — Forces led by Mark Antony fought the Battle of Mutina against those of Decimus Brutus, one of Julius Caesar's assassins. Read more
• 753 BC — According to the calculations of the ancient Roman scholar Varro Reatinus, Romulus and Remus legendarily founded the city of Rome. Read more

Events

• 2021 — Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala (402) sinks in the Bali Sea during a military drill, killing all 53 on board. Read more
• 2019 — Eight bombs explode at churches, hotels, and other locations in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing at least 269. Read more
• 2012 — Two trains are involved in a head-on collision near Sloterdijk, Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, killing one person and injuring 116 others. Read more
• 2010 — The controversial Kharkiv Pact (Russian Ukrainian Naval Base for Gas Treaty) is signed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev; it was unilaterally terminated by Russia on March 31, 2014. Read more
• 2004 — Five suicide car bombers target police stations in and around Basra, killing 74 people and wounding 160. Read more
• 1996 — Four people are killed and 75 are injured in a train accident in Jokela, Finland. Read more
• 1993 — The Supreme Court in La Paz, Bolivia, sentences former dictator Luis García Meza to 30 years in jail without parole for murder, theft, fraud and violating the constitution. Read more
• 1989 — Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Yaobang. Read more
• 1987 — The Tamil Tigers are blamed for a car bomb that detonates in the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo, killing 106 people. Read more
• 1985 — The compound of the militant group The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord surrenders to federal authorities in Arkansas after a two-day government siege. Read more
• 1982 — Baseball: Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to record 300 saves. Read more
• 1977 — Annie opens on Broadway. Read more
• 1975 — Vietnam War: President of South Vietnam Nguyễn Văn Thiệu flees Saigon, as Xuân Lộc, the last South Vietnamese outpost blocking a direct North Vietnamese assault on Saigon, falls. Read more
• 1972 — Astronauts John Young and Charles Duke fly Apollo 16's Apollo Lunar Module to the Moon's surface, the fifth NASA Apollo Program crewed lunar landing. Read more
• 1967 — A few days before the general election in Greece, Colonel George Papadopoulos leads a coup d'état, establishing a military regime that lasts for seven years. Read more
• 1967 — A tornado outbreak in Illinois, United States, kills over 50 and injures over 1,000. Belvidere sustains over 500 casualties as a violent tornado strikes the high school. Another tornado near Chicago causes another 500 casualties, devastating Oak Lawn. Read more
• 1966 — Rastafari movement: Haile Selassie of Ethiopia visits Jamaica, an event now celebrated as Grounation Day. Read more
• 1965 — The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair opens for its second and final season. Read more
• 1964 — A Transit-5bn satellite fails to reach orbit after launch; as it re-enters the atmosphere, 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg) of radioactive plutonium in its SNAP RTG power source is widely dispersed. Read more
• 1963 — The first election of the Universal House of Justice is held, marking its establishment as the supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith. Read more
• 1962 — The Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opens. It is the first World's Fair in the United States since World War II. Read more
• 1960 — Brasília, Brazil's capital, is officially inaugurated. At 09:30, the Three Powers of the Republic are simultaneously transferred from the old capital, Rio de Janeiro. Read more
• 1958 — United Air Lines Flight 736 collides with a United States Air Force fighter jet near Arden, Nevada in what is now Enterprise, Nevada. Read more
• 1952 — Secretary's Day (now Administrative Professionals' Day) is first celebrated. Read more
• 1950 — The Nainital wedding massacre occurs, killing 22 members of the Harijan caste. Read more
• 1948 — United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 relating to Kashmir conflict is adopted. Read more
• 1946 — The U.S. Weather Bureau records that a tornado which struck Timber Lake, South Dakota was 4 miles (6.4 km), among the widest tornadoes on record. Read more
• 1945 — World War II: Soviet forces south of Berlin at Zossen attack the German High Command headquarters. Read more
• 1934 — The "Surgeon's Photograph", the most famous photo allegedly showing the Loch Ness Monster, is published in the Daily Mail (in 1994, it is revealed to be a hoax). Read more
• 1926 — Al-Baqi cemetery, former site of the mausoleum of four Shi'a Imams, is leveled to the ground by Wahhabis. Read more
• 1918 — World War I: German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, better known as "The Red Baron", is shot down and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme in France. Read more
• 1914 — Ypiranga incident: A German arms shipment to Mexico is intercepted by the U.S. Navy near Veracruz. Read more
• 1898 — Spanish–American War: The United States Navy begins a blockade of Cuban ports. When the U.S. Congress issued a declaration of war on April 25, it declared that a state of war had existed from this date. Read more
• 1894 — Norway formally adopts the Krag–Jørgensen bolt-action rifle as the main arm of its armed forces, a weapon that would remain in service for almost 50 years. Read more
• 1856 — Australian labour movement: Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne march from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day. Read more
• 1836 — Texas Revolution: The Battle of San Jacinto: Republic of Texas forces under Sam Houston defeat troops under Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Read more
• 1821 — Benderli Ali Pasha arrives in Constantinople as the new Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire; he remains in power for only nine days before being sent into exile. Read more
• 1809 — Two Austrian army corps are driven from Landshut by a First French Empire army led by Napoleon as two French corps to the north hold off the main Austrian army on the first day of the Battle of Eckmühl. Read more
• 1806 — Action of 21 April 1806: A French frigate escapes British forces off the coast of South Africa. Read more
• 1802 — Twelve thousand Wahhabis sack Karbala, killing over three thousand inhabitants. Read more
• 1796 — War of the First Coalition: In the climax of the Montenotte Campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte decisively defeats the army of Piedmont at the Battle of Mondovi, leading to Piedmont's surrender a week later and decisively turning the Italian campaign in France's favor. Read more
• 1792 — Tiradentes, a revolutionary leading a movement for Brazil's independence, is hanged, drawn and quartered. Read more
• 1789 — John Adams sworn in as first US Vice President (nine days before George Washington). Read more
• 1789 — George Washington's reception at Trenton is hosted by the Ladies of Trenton as he journeys to New York City for his first inauguration. Read more
• 1782 — The city of Rattanakosin, now known internationally as Bangkok, is founded on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. Read more
• 1615 — The Wignacourt Aqueduct is inaugurated in Malta. Read more
• 1526 — The last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, Ibrahim Lodi, is defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat. Read more
• 1509 — Henry VIII ascends the throne of England on the death of his father, Henry VII. Read more
• 1506 — The three-day Lisbon Massacre comes to an end with the slaughter of over 1,900 suspected Jews by Portuguese Catholics. Read more
• 1092 — The Diocese of Pisa is elevated to the rank of metropolitan archdiocese by Pope Urban II. Read more
• 900 — The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (the earliest known written document found in what is now the Philippines): the Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom of Tondo, as represented by the Honourable Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, pardons from all debt the Honourable Namwaran and his relations. Read more
• 43 BC — Battle of Mutina: Mark Antony is again defeated in battle by Aulus Hirtius, who is killed. Antony fails to capture Mutina and Decimus Brutus is murdered shortly after. Read more
• 753 BC — Romulus founds Rome (traditional date). Read more

Born on April 21

• 2008 — Hyein, South Korean singer Read more
• 2007 — Princess Isabella of Denmark, daughter of King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark Read more
• 2003 — Xavi Simons, Dutch footballer Read more
• 1999 — Choi Hyun-suk, South Korean rapper Read more
• 1998 — Jarrett Allen, American basketball player Read more
• 1997 — Mikel Oyarzabal, Spanish footballer Read more
• 1996 — Arianne Hartono, Dutch tennis player Read more
• 1995 — Ana Grozdanović, Serbian politician Read more
• 1994 — Ludwig Augustinsson, Swedish footballer Read more
• 1992 — Isco, Spanish footballer Read more
• 1992 — Joc Pederson, American baseball player Read more
• 1991 — Frank Dillane, British actor Read more
• 1989 — Nikki Cross, Scottish wrestler Read more
• 1988 — Ricky Berens, American swimmer Read more
• 1988 — Jencarlos Canela, American singer-songwriter and actor Read more
• 1988 — Christoph Sanders, American actor Read more
• 1983 — Tarvaris Jackson, American football player (died 2020) Read more
• 1983 — Kim Wall, British sprinter Read more
• 1980 — Tony Romo, American football player and announcer Read more
• 1979 — Virginie Basselot, French chef Read more
• 1979 — James McAvoy, Scottish actor Read more
• 1977 — Gyula Koi, Hungarian scholar and educator Read more
• 1977 — Jamie Salé, Canadian figure skater Read more
• 1976 — Petero Civoniceva, Fijian-Australian rugby league player Read more
• 1975 — Danyon Loader, New Zealand swimmer Read more
• 1974 — David Peachey, Australian rugby league player Read more
• 1973 — Steve Backshall, English naturalist, writer, and television presenter Read more
• 1971 — Michael Turner, American author and illustrator (died 2008) Read more
• 1970 — Glen Hansard, Irish singer-songwriter (died 2026) Read more
• 1970 — Rob Riggle, American actor and comedian Read more
• 1970 — Nicole Sullivan, American actress and comedian Read more
• 1969 — Toby Stephens, English actor Read more
• 1966 — Michael Franti, American singer-songwriter and rapper Read more
• 1965 — Fiona Kelleghan, American academic, critic and librarian Read more
• 1963 — Ken Caminiti, American baseball player (died 2004) Read more
• 1963 — John Cameron Mitchell, American actor and director Read more
• 1961 — David Servan-Schreiber, French physician, neuroscientist, and author (died 2011) Read more
• 1959 — Tim Jacobus, American illustrator and painter Read more
• 1959 — Robert Smith, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
• 1958 — Andie MacDowell, American model, actress, and producer Read more

Died on April 21

• 2025 — Pope Francis (born 1936) Read more
• 2024 — Terry A. Anderson, American journalist (born 1947) Read more
• 2019 — Polly Higgins, Scottish barrister, author and environmental lobbyist (born 1968) Read more
• 2018 — Nabi Tajima, Japanese supercentenarian (born 1900) Read more
• 2017 — Ugo Ehiogu, English footballer (born 1972) Read more
• 2016 — Prince, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor (born 1958) Read more
• 2014 — George H. Heilmeier, American engineer (born 1936) Read more
• 2014 — Win Tin, Burmese journalist and politician, co-founded the National League for Democracy (born 1930) Read more
• 2013 — Shakuntala Devi, Indian mathematician and astrologer (born 1929) Read more
• 2013 — Leopold Engleitner, Austrian Holocaust survivor, author, and educator (born 1905) Read more
• 2012 — Doris Betts, American author and academic (born 1932) Read more
• 2011 — Catharina Halkes, Dutch theologian and academic (born 1920) Read more
• 2010 — Gustav Lorentzen, Norwegian singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1947) Read more
• 2010 — Juan Antonio Samaranch, Spanish businessman, seventh President of the International Olympic Committee (born 1920) Read more
• 2010 — Kanagaratnam Sriskandan, Sri Lankan-English engineer and civil servant (born 1930) Read more
• 2005 — Zhang Chunqiao, Chinese writer and politician, member of the Gang of Four (born 1917) Read more
• 2003 — Nina Simone, American singer-songwriter, pianist, and activist (born 1933) Read more
• 1999 — Buddy Rogers, American actor (born 1904) Read more
• 1998 — Jean-François Lyotard, French sociologist and philosopher (born 1924) Read more
• 1997 — Diosdado Macapagal, Filipino lawyer and politician, 9th President of the Philippines (born 1910) Read more
• 1996 — Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Pakistani cricketer (born 1925) Read more
• 1996 — Jimmy Snyder, American sportscaster (born 1919) Read more
• 1992 — Väinö Linna, Finnish author (born 1920) Read more
• 1991 — Willi Boskovsky, Austrian violinist and conductor (born 1909) Read more
• 1990 — Erté, Russian-French illustrator (born 1892) Read more
• 1987 — Gustav Bergmann, Austrian-American philosopher from the Vienna Circle (born 1906) Read more
• 1986 — Marjorie Eaton, American painter and actress (born 1901) Read more
• 1986 — Salah Jahin, Egyptian poet, playwright, and composer (born 1930) Read more
• 1985 — Rudi Gernreich, Austrian-American fashion designer, created the monokini (born 1922) Read more
• 1985 — Tancredo Neves, Brazilian banker and politician, Prime Minister of Brazil (born 1910) Read more
• 1984 — Marcel Janco, Romanian-Israeli artist (born 1895) Read more
• 1984 — Hristo Prodanov, Bulgarian engineer and mountaineer (born 1943) Read more
• 1983 — Walter Slezak, Austrian-American actor and singer (born 1902) Read more
• 1980 — Alexander Oparin, Russian biochemist and academic (born 1894) Read more
• 1980 — Sohrab Sepehri, Iranian poet and painter (born 1928) Read more
• 1978 — Sandy Denny, English singer-songwriter (born 1947) Read more
• 1978 — Thomas Wyatt Turner, American biologist and academic (born 1877) Read more
• 1977 — Gummo Marx, American vaudevillian and talent agent (born 1892) Read more
• 1973 — Arthur Fadden, Australian accountant and politician, 13th Prime Minister of Australia (born 1894) Read more
• 1973 — Kemal Tahir, Turkish journalist and author (born 1910) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Abdecalas; Christian feast day: Anastasius Sinaita; Christian feast day: Anselm of Canterbury; Christian feast day: Conrad of Parzham; Christian feast day: Holy Infant of Good Health; Christian feast day: Máel Ruba; Christian feast day: Shemon Bar Sabbae; Christian feast day: Wolbodo; Christian feast day: April 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Natale di Roma (Rome); Parilia (ancient Rome); Civil Service Day (India); Grounation Day (Rastafari); National Tea Day (United Kingdom); National Tree Planting Day (Kenya); San Jacinto Day (Texas)

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