Europa
- Leopold I Becomes First King of Belgium (1831)
On July 21, 1831, Leopold I was inaugurated as the first King of the Belgians. This event marked the establishment of the Kingdom of Belgium after its independence from the Netherlands, and July 21 is celebrated as Belgium’s National Day. - Treaty of Passarowitz Signed (1718)
The Treaty of Passarowitz was signed on July 21, 1718, ending hostilities between the Ottoman Empire, Austria, and the Republic of Venice. This treaty significantly altered the balance of power in southeastern Europe, with Austria gaining territories in the Balkans. - Battle of the Pyramids (1798)
While the Battle of the Pyramids took place in Egypt, it was a pivotal event in European history as Napoleon Bonaparte’s French forces defeated the Mamluk army. This victory strengthened France’s influence in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. - Louis Rigolly Breaks 100 mph Barrier (1904)
Frenchman Louis Rigolly became the first person to drive a car over 100 mph (161 km/h) on land, achieving this milestone in Ostend, Belgium. This was a significant feat in the history of European motorsport. - Battle of Shrewsbury (1403)
The Battle of Shrewsbury, fought in England, saw King Henry IV defeat rebel forces. This battle was a turning point in the power struggles of medieval England. - 1242: Battle of Taillebourg – French King Louis IX ended a revolt by English and local lords.
- 1568: Battle of Jemmingen – Spanish forces under the Duke of Alva defeated Dutch rebels during the Eighty Years’ War.
- 1656: The Raid on Málaga occurred during the Anglo-Spanish War.
- 905: King Berengar I of Italy, with Hungarian allies, defeated Frankish forces at Verona.
America
- First Battle of Bull Run (1861)
On July 21, 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as First Manassas) took place near Manassas, Virginia. This was the first major land battle of the American Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory and shattering the North’s hope of a swift end to the conflict. - Wild Bill Hickok’s Famous Shootout (1865)
In Springfield, Missouri, Wild Bill Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in what is widely regarded as the first Western showdown, establishing the archetype of the classic American gunfight. - Jesse James’ First Train Robbery (1873)
Jesse James and the James–Younger Gang carried out the first successful train robbery in the American Old West at Adair, Iowa, marking a new era in outlaw history. - Pittsburgh Railroad Strike (1877)
Following deadly riots by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad workers, a major sympathy strike erupted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, leading to violent confrontations with state militia during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. - SS Columbia Disaster (1907)
The passenger steamer SS Columbia sank off Shelter Cove, California, after colliding with the steam schooner San Pedro, resulting in the deaths of 88 people. - Wingfoot Air Express Crash (1919)
The dirigible Wingfoot Air Express crashed into the Illinois Trust and Savings Building in Chicago, killing 12 people and highlighting the risks of early air travel. - Scopes “Monkey” Trial Verdict (1925)
In Dayton, Tennessee, high-school teacher John T. Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution in violation of state law, concluding the famous “Scopes Monkey Trial.” The conviction was later overturned on a technicality. - U.S. Lands on the Moon (1969)
On July 21, 1969 (UTC), Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon, followed by Buzz Aldrin, marking a defining moment in American—and world—history. Armstrong’s first step and his words, “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind,” are among the most iconic in history. - End of U.S. Space Shuttle Program (2011)
The final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program ended as Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center, closing a chapter in American space exploration after 135 missions. - 1944: American forces landed on Guam during World War II, beginning the campaign to recapture the island from Japan.
- 1954: The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, impacting U.S. foreign policy for decades.
- 1980: Draft registration resumed in the United States for 19- and 20-year-old men.
Asia
- Adoption of the Indian National Flag (1947)
On July 21, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the national flag that would become the symbol of independent India. This tricolor flag, featuring saffron, white, and green bands with the Ashoka Chakra in the center, was a crucial step in the lead-up to India’s independence from British rule. - Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Elected President of India (1977)
On this day in 1977, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was elected as the sixth President of India, becoming the only person to be elected unopposed to the country’s highest constitutional office. - Libyan–Egyptian War Begins (1977)
The short but intense Libyan–Egyptian War began on July 21, 1977, when Libya launched attacks on Egyptian border towns. The conflict lasted only a few days, ending with a ceasefire on July 24. - Akashi Fireworks Disaster in Japan (2001)
At the conclusion of a fireworks display on Okura Beach in Akashi, Hyōgo, Japan, overcrowding on a pedestrian footbridge led to a tragic stampede. Eleven people died and more than 120 were injured in the incident. - Third Taiwan Strait Crisis – PLA Missile Tests (1995)
On July 21, 1995, the People’s Liberation Army of China began a series of missile tests in the waters north of Taiwan, escalating tensions and marking the start of the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis. - Yuen Long Attack in Hong Kong (2019)
In Hong Kong, the Yuen Long attack (also called the “721 incident”) occurred on July 21, 2019. Groups linked to organized crime indiscriminately assaulted civilians returning from protests, while police were criticized for their delayed response. - World’s Lowest Recorded Temperature (1983)
At Vostok Station, a Russian research base in Antarctica, the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was measured: −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F). While Antarctica is not part of continental Asia, Russia is a transcontinental nation with significant Asian territory, and the Vostok Station is operated by Russian scientists. - Battle of the Pyramids in Egypt (1798)
On July 21, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte’s forces defeated the Mamluk army at the Battle of the Pyramids in Egypt. While led by a European power, the battle was a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern and Asian history, marking the start of French influence in the region. - 1990: In Taiwan, the forced repatriation of mainland Chinese illegal immigrants led to the deaths of 25 people from suffocation.
- 2008: Ram Baran Yadav was declared the first President of Nepal, marking a new era in Nepalese history.
Africa
- Battle of the Pyramids (1798)
On July 21, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Army defeated the Egyptian forces of Murād Bey at the Battle of the Pyramids near Cairo. This battle was a decisive moment in Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign, introducing new military tactics and marking a turning point in the region’s history. - First Daily Black Newspaper in the U.S. (1864)
The New Orleans Tribune, the first Black newspaper to be published daily, was launched on July 21, 1864. While this event occurred in the United States, it was a significant milestone for people of African descent and the broader African diaspora.
This day in history: 21 july