Anniversaries and commemorations come and go daily. Most of us, even the best historians, miss most occasions. If we think of history as events then we are faced with a continually showering in the grains of sand. Nevertheless, we do pick out certain patterns in the remembrance of historical dates. The blog here reminds us of some dates where the local, state, national, and global perspectives entwine.
On 21, Wednesday July 1869, John McDonald, politician, born (died 1934)
On 21, Monday July 1919, Wingfoot Air Express crash: The dirigible Wingfoot Air Express catches fire over downtown Chicago. Two passengers, one aircrewman and ten people on the ground are killed. However, two people parachute to the ground safely.
On 21, Monday July 1919, Pentland Hick, British entrepreneur, author, publisher, and veteran of World War II
On 21, Monday July 1919, Lady Rose McLaren, British aristocrat, born (d. 2005)
On 21, Friday July 1944, WWII: Battle of Guam: American troops land on Guam (the battle ends August 10).
On 21, Friday July 1944, The Soviet-sponsored Polish Committee of National Liberation is created in opposition to the Polish government-in-exile.
On 21, Friday July 1944, John Atta Mills, 13th President of Ghana, born (d. 2012)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Paul Wellstone, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, born (d. 2002)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Ludwig Beck, German general and Chief of the German General Staff, died (b. 1880)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Werner von Haeften, German resistance member (executed), died (b. 1908)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim, German resistance leader, died (b. 1905)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Hans-Ulrich von Oertzen, German resistance member (suicide), died (b. 1915)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Friedrich Olbricht, German resistance leader, died (b. 1888)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Claus von Stauffenberg, German resistance leader, died (b. 1907)
On 21, Friday July 1944, Henning von Tresckow, German general and resistance leader (suicide), died (b. 1901)
On 21, Tuesday July 1959, Paul Vautin, rugby league footballer, coach and media personality, born
On 21, Monday July 1969, Godfrey, American comedian and actor, born
On 21, Monday July 1969, Avraam Russo, Russian singer, born
On 21, Monday July 1969, Isabell Werth, German equestrian, born
On 21, Saturday July 1979, The Sandinista National Liberation Front concludes a successful revolutionary campaign against the Somoza dictatorship and assumes power in Nicaragua.
On 21, Saturday July 1979, Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo becomes prime minister of Portugal.
On 21, Saturday July 1979, Maritza Sayalero of Venezuela wins the Miss Universe pageant; the stage collapses after contestants and news photographers rush to her throne.
On 21, Saturday July 1979, The Disco music genre dominates and peaks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with the first six spots (beginning with Donna Summer’s Bad Girls), and seven of the chart’s top ten songs ending that week.
On 21, Saturday July 1979, David Carr, American football player, born
On 21, Saturday July 1979, Patriarch Elias IV of Antioch, died (b. 1914)
On 21, Saturday July 1979, Juan Guzmán Cruchaga, Chilean poet and diplomat, died (b. 1895)
On 21, Friday July 1989, A total blockade of Armenia and NKAO by Azerbaijan begins.
On 21, Friday July 1989, Narcissa Wright, speedrunner, born
On 21, Friday July 1989, Jasmine Cephas Jones, American actress, born
On 21, Friday July 1989, Rory Culkin, American actor, born
On 21, Friday July 1989, Chris Gunter, Welsh footballer, born
On 21, Friday July 1989, Jamie Waylett, British actor, born
On 21, Friday July 1989, Juno Temple, British actress, born
On 21, Thursday July 1994, Mother and Son finale airs. (1984–1994)
On 21, Thursday July 1994, Marijac, French cartoonist, died (b. 1908)
On 21, Thursday July 1994, Pere Calders, Spanish writer and cartoonist, died (b. 1912)
On 21, Monday July 2014, The United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 2166 in response to the shootdown of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.
Other On This Day days in history
Neville Buch