This day in history: 21 may

First Solo Nonstop Transatlantic Flight (1927)

On May 21, 1927, American aviator Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, landing his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, in Paris after departing from New York. This achievement made Lindbergh an instant international celebrity and marked a milestone in aviation history.

Opening of the Rigi Bahnen Railway (1871)

The first rack railway in Europe, the Rigi Bahnen, opened on Mount Rigi in Switzerland on May 21, 1871. This pioneering mountain railway became a model for similar systems across the continent.

Clara Barton Founds the American Red Cross (1881)

On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton established the American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that continues to provide disaster relief and emergency assistance in the United States and abroad.

Slavery Abolished in Colombia (1851)

On this date, Colombia abolished slavery, an important milestone in the broader history of the Americas.

Sack of Lawrence, Kansas (1856)

Pro-slavery forces captured and burned Lawrence, Kansas, escalating tensions that would lead to the American Civil War.

Richmond Becomes Confederate Capital (1861)

Richmond, Virginia, was designated as the capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War.

Other Significant U.S. Events:

1924: The infamous Leopold and Loeb “thrill killing” of Bobby Franks occurred in Chicago.
1941: The American merchant ship SS Robin Moor was sunk by a German U-boat, marking a significant event before the U.S. entered World War II.
1961: Martial law was declared in Montgomery, Alabama, during the civil rights era.
1970: The National Guard was mobilized to quell disturbances at Ohio State University.

Aviation Milestone (1927)

Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, landing in Paris after departing from New York-an achievement celebrated in both American and world history.

Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (1991)

On May 21, 1991, former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by a female suicide bomber linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during an election rally in Tamil Nadu, India. The attack killed Rajiv Gandhi and at least 14 others, profoundly impacting Indian politics and security policy.

CICA Summit in China (2014)

On May 21, 2014, Shanghai hosted the fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), an important diplomatic event aimed at promoting security cooperation among Asian nations.

Death of Gama Pehalwan (1960)

Gama Pehalwan, a legendary wrestler from the Indian subcontinent, died on May 21, 1960, in Lahore, Pakistan. He was renowned for his undefeated record and is considered one of the greatest wrestlers in history.

Other Events

In 1792, the catastrophic eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan caused a massive tsunami, resulting in around 15,000 deaths, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Japanese history.

Formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) – 1963

On May 21, 1963, one of the most pivotal events in African history took place: the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). This landmark event marked a major step toward continental unity and cooperation, with the OAU later evolving into the African Union.

ANC National Executive Committee Meeting (South Africa, 1951)

On May 21, 1951, the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee met at Thaba ‘Nchu, South Africa. The committee decided to call for a national one-day stay-at-home protest, which became a significant event in the struggle against apartheid.

Other Notable Events

In 2009, a tragic incident occurred in Kenya where a mob burned eleven people accused of witchcraft to death, highlighting ongoing social challenges in parts of the continent.

This day in history: 21 may