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On This Day in History — December 21
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Highlights of December 21
- 2018 — Operatives of the British Special Boat Service boarded the container ship Grande Tema in the Thames Estuary to detain four stowaways who had threatened the crew. Read more
- 2012 — Countries that were part of the Maya civilization celebrated the end-date of a 5,126-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Read more
- 1995 — In accordance with the Oslo II Accord, Israeli troops withdrew from Bethlehem in preparation for the transfer of control to the Palestinian National Authority. Read more
- 1994 — Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano, dormant for 47 years, began erupting, and is now one of the nation's most active volcanoes. Read more
- 1988 — The world's heaviest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, made its first flight. Read more
- 1988 — A bomb on board Pan Am Flight 103 detonated over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. Read more
- 1968 — Apollo 8 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a trajectory to the Moon; its crew (pictured) became the first humans to visit another celestial body. Read more
- 1965 — The United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which 88 member states have since signed. Read more
- 1963 — An attempt by Greek Cypriot police to search certain Turkish Cypriot women in Nicosia escalated into island-wide violence, leading to 538 deaths and the displacement of nearly 27,000 people. Read more
- 1937 — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length cel-animated feature in film history, premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. Read more
- 1934 — Lieutenant Kijé, the first film composition by Sergei Prokofiev (pictured), premiered. Read more
- 1923 — Nepal and the United Kingdom signed the first treaty that defined the international status of Nepal as an independent and a sovereign nation. Read more
- 1919 — After serving two years in prison for encouraging people to resist military conscription, anarchist Emma Goldman was deported from the United States to Russia. Read more
- 1911 — Moscow's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was consecrated. Read more
- 1879 — the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings (pictured) at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre. Read more
- 1872 — HMS Challenger departed Portsmouth on a scientific expedition that laid the foundations of oceanography. Read more
- 1844 — The Rochdale Pioneers opened their store (pictured) in Rochdale, England, forming the basis for the modern co-operative movement. Read more
- 1826 — Settlers from the United States in Mexican Texas made the first attempt to secede from Mexico, establishing the short-lived Republic of Fredonia. Read more
- 1620 — The Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower landed at present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, to establish the Plymouth Colony. Read more
- 1124 — Lamberto Scannabecchi was elected pope, taking the name Honorius II. Read more
Events
- 2023 — Fourteen people are killed and 25 others injured during a mass shooting at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Read more
- 2022 — A Vega C rocket carrying two Pléiades Neo satellites fails after liftoff. Read more
- 2020 — A great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurs, with the two planets separated in the sky by 0.1 degrees. This is the closest conjunction between the two planets since 1623. Read more
- 2012 — 2012 phenomenon: Festivities are held in parts of Mesoamerica to commemorate the conclusion of b'ak'tun 13, a roughly 5,126-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar whose passing many New Age spiritualists had earlier held to portend a variety of cataclysmic or transformative events. Read more
- 2004 — Iraq War: A suicide bomber kills 22 at the forward operating base next to the main U.S. military airfield at Mosul, Iraq, the single deadliest suicide attack on American soldiers in Iraq. Read more
- 1999 — The Spanish Civil Guard intercepts a van loaded with 950 kg of explosives that ETA intended to use to blow up Torre Picasso in Madrid, Spain. Read more
- 1999 — Cubana de Aviación Flight 1216 overshoots the runway at La Aurora International Airport, killing 18. Read more
- 1995 — The city of Bethlehem passes from Israeli to Palestinian control. Read more
- 1992 — A Dutch DC-10, flight Martinair MP 495, crashes at Faro Airport, Portugal, killing 56. Read more
- 1991 — Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The leaders of 11 now effectively autonomous Soviet republics sign the Alma-Ata Protocol establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States in place of the collapsing Soviet Union. Read more
- 1988 — A bomb explodes on board Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, killing 270. This is to date the deadliest air disaster to occur on British soil. Read more
- 1979 — Lancaster House Agreement: An independence agreement for Rhodesia is signed in London by Lord Carrington, Sir Ian Gilmour, Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Bishop Abel Muzorewa and S.C. Mundawarara. Read more
- 1973 — The Geneva Conference on the Arab–Israeli conflict opens. Read more
- 1968 — Apollo program: Apollo 8 is launched from the Kennedy Space Center, placing its crew on a lunar trajectory for the first visit to another celestial body by humans. Read more
- 1967 — Louis Washkansky, the first man to undergo a human-to-human heart transplant, dies in Cape Town, South Africa, having lived for 18 days after the transplant. Read more
- 1965 — International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is adopted. Read more
- 1963 — "Bloody Christmas" begins in Cyprus, ultimately resulting in the displacement of 25,000–30,000 Turkish Cypriots and destruction of more than 100 villages. Read more
- 1946 — An 8.1 Mw earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Nankaidō, Japan, kills over 1,300 people and destroys over 38,000 homes. Read more
- 1941 — World War II: A Thai-Japanese Pact of Alliance is signed. Read more
- 1934 — Lieutenant Kijé, one of Sergei Prokofiev's best-known works, premiered. Read more
- 1923 — United Kingdom and Nepal formally sign an agreement of friendship, called the Nepal–Britain Treaty of 1923, which superseded the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1816. Read more
- 1919 — American anarchist Emma Goldman is deported to Russia. Read more
- 1910 — An underground explosion at the Hulton Bank Colliery No. 3 Pit in Over Hulton, Westhoughton, England, kills 344 miners. Read more
- 1907 — The Chilean Army commits a massacre of at least 2,000 striking saltpeter miners in Iquique, Chile. Read more
- 1883 — The Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed. Read more
- 1879 — the fictional character of Nora Helmer is first portrayed by Betty Hennings at a showing of A Doll's House at the Royal Danish Theatre. Read more
- 1872 — Challenger expedition: HMS Challenger, commanded by Captain George Nares, sails from Portsmouth, England. Read more
- 1861 — Medal of Honor: Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, is signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. Read more
- 1844 — The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers commences business at its cooperative in Rochdale, England, starting the Cooperative movement. Read more
- 1832 — Egyptian–Ottoman War: Egyptian forces decisively defeat Ottoman troops at the Battle of Konya. Read more
- 1826 — American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas, declare their independence, starting the Fredonian Rebellion. Read more
- 1812 — The second earthquake to hit southern California in 13 days causes severe damage in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Read more
- 1620 — Plymouth Colony: William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims land near what is now known as Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Read more
- 1598 — Battle of Curalaba: The revolting Mapuche, led by cacique Pelentaru, inflict a major defeat on Spanish troops in southern Chile. Read more
- 1361 — The Battle of Linuesa is fought in the context of the Spanish Reconquista between the forces of the Emirate of Granada and the combined army of the Kingdom of Castile and of Jaén resulting in a Castilian victory. Read more
- 1237 — The city of Ryazan is sacked by the Mongol army of Batu Khan. Read more
- 1140 — After a siege of several weeks, the city of Weinsberg and its castle surrender to Conrad III of Germany. Read more
- 1124 — Pope Honorius II is consecrated, having been elected after the controversial dethroning of Pope-Elect Celestine II. Read more
- 69 — The Roman Senate declares Vespasian emperor of Rome, the last in the Year of the Four Emperors. Read more
Born on December 21
- 2006 — Cooper Flagg, American basketball player Read more
- 2002 — Clara Tauson, Danish tennis player Read more
- 1997 — Madelyn Cline, American actress and model Read more
- 1997 — Charlie McAvoy, American ice hockey player Read more
- 1996 — Ben Chilwell, English footballer Read more
- 1996 — Kaitlyn Dever, American actress Read more
- 1994 — Luke Brooks, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1992 — Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, American football player Read more
- 1992 — Jamie Oleksiak, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1991 — Nic Maddinson, Australian cricketer Read more
- 1991 — Otis, American wrestler Read more
- 1991 — Riccardo Saponara, Italian footballer Read more
- 1989 — Mark Ingram II, American football player Read more
- 1989 — Tamannaah, Indian actress Read more
- 1988 — Danny Duffy, American baseball player Read more
- 1988 — Perri Shakes-Drayton, English sprinter and hurdler Read more
- 1987 — Khris Davis, American baseball player Read more
- 1985 — Tom Sturridge, English actor Read more
- 1983 — Taylor Teagarden, American baseball player Read more
- 1983 — Steven Yeun, American actor Read more
- 1982 — Primo Colón, Puerto Rican wrestler Read more
- 1982 — Philip Humber, American baseball player Read more
- 1982 — Tom Payne, English actor Read more
- 1981 — Marta Fernández, Spanish basketball player Read more
- 1981 — Cristian Zaccardo, Italian footballer Read more
- 1979 — Steve Montador, Canadian ice hockey player (died 2015) Read more
- 1978 — Emiliano Brembilla, Italian swimmer Read more
- 1978 — Charles Dera, American pornographic actor, dancer, model, and mixed martial arts fighter Read more
- 1978 — Shaun Morgan, South African musician, singer, and guitarist Read more
- 1978 — Rutina Wesley, American actress Read more
- 1977 — Buddy Carlyle, American baseball player Read more
- 1977 — Corey Collymore, Barbadian cricketer Read more
- 1977 — Leon MacDonald, New Zealand rugby player Read more
- 1977 — Emmanuel Macron, French politician, 25th President of France Read more
- 1977 — Freddy Sanchez, American baseball player Read more
- 1975 — Paloma Herrera, Argentine ballerina Read more
- 1974 — Karrie Webb, Australian golfer Read more
- 1973 — Irakli Alasania, Georgian colonel and politician, Georgian Minister of Defense Read more
- 1973 — Matías Almeyda, Argentine footballer and manager Read more
- 1972 — Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, Indian politician, 17th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Read more
Died on December 21
- 2024 — Michelle Botes, South African actress (born 1962) Read more
- 2024 — Art Evans, American actor (born 1942) Read more
- 2019 — Andrew Clennel Palmer, British engineer (born 1938) Read more
- 2017 — Bruce McCandless II, US astronaut who conducted the first untethered spacewalk (born 1937) Read more
- 2014 — Udo Jürgens, Austrian-Swiss singer-songwriter and pianist (born 1934) Read more
- 2014 — Sitor Situmorang, Indonesian poet and author (born 1923) Read more
- 2014 — Billie Whitelaw, English actress (born 1932) Read more
- 2013 — Edgar Bronfman Sr., Canadian-American businessman and philanthropist (born 1929) Read more
- 2013 — John Eisenhower, American historian, general, and diplomat, 45th United States Ambassador to Belgium (born 1922) Read more
- 2010 — Enzo Bearzot, Italian footballer and manager (born 1927) Read more
- 2009 — Edwin G. Krebs, American biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1918) Read more
- 2009 — Christos Lambrakis, Greek journalist and businessman (born 1934) Read more
- 2006 — Saparmyrat Nyýazow, Turkmen engineer and politician, 1st President of Turkmenistan (born 1940) (date death announced) Read more
- 2004 — Autar Singh Paintal, Indian physiologist and neurologist (born 1925) Read more
- 1998 — Ernst-Günther Schenck, German colonel and physician (born 1904) Read more
- 1992 — Stella Adler, American actress and educator (born 1901) Read more
- 1992 — Albert King, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (born 1924) Read more
- 1992 — Nathan Milstein, Russian-American violinist and composer (born 1903) Read more
- 1988 — Nikolaas Tinbergen, Dutch-English ethologist and ornithologist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1907) Read more
- 1983 — Paul de Man, Belgian-born philosopher, literary critic and theorist (born 1919) Read more
- 1982 — Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jullundhri, Pakistani poet and composer (born 1900) Read more
- 1974 — Richard Long, American actor and director (born 1927) Read more
- 1971 — Ásta Sigurðardóttir, Icelandic writer and visual artist (born 1930) Read more
- 1968 — Vittorio Pozzo, Italian footballer, coach, and manager (born 1886) Read more
- 1965 — Claude Champagne, Canadian violinist, pianist, and composer (born 1891) Read more
- 1964 — Carl Van Vechten, American author and photographer (born 1880) Read more
- 1963 — Jack Hobbs, English cricketer and journalist (born 1882) Read more
- 1959 — Rosanjin, Japanese calligrapher, engraver, and painter (born 1883) Read more
- 1958 — H.B. Warner, English actor (born 1875) Read more
- 1958 — Lion Feuchtwanger, German-American author and playwright (born 1884) Read more
- 1957 — Eric Coates, English viola player and composer (born 1886) Read more
- 1953 — Kaarlo Koskelo, Finnish-American wrestler and businessman (born 1888) Read more
- 1952 — Kenneth Edwards, American golfer (born 1886) Read more
- 1948 — Władysław Witwicki, Polish psychologist, philosopher, translator, historian (of philosophy and art) and artist (born 1878) Read more
- 1945 — George S. Patton, American general (born 1885) Read more
- 1940 — F. Scott Fitzgerald, American novelist and short story writer (born 1896) Read more
- 1937 — Violette Neatley Anderson, American judge (born 1882) Read more
- 1937 — Ted Healy, American comedian and actor (born 1896) Read more
- 1937 — Frank B. Kellogg, American lawyer and politician, 45th United States Secretary of State, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1856) Read more
- 1935 — Ted Birnie, English footballer and manager (born 1878) Read more
Holidays & observances
Armed Forces Day (Philippines); Christian feast day:
O Oriens; Christian feast day:
Peter Canisius; Christian feast day:
Thomas the Apostle; Christian feast day:
December 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Forefathers' Day (Plymouth, Massachusetts); São Tomé Day (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “December 21”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.