August 21 is a date marked by a diverse tapestry of historical events that have shaped cultures, societies, and even our understanding of the universe.
From pivotal moments in art and music to significant advances in space exploration and geopolitical shifts, this article delves into 20 notable events that have occurred on August 21 throughout history.
Each event serves as a window into different facets of human achievement, resilience, and the ever-evolving landscape of our world.
August 21st – On this Day in History
1192 – Minamoto no Yoritomo Becomes Seii Tai Shogun
On August 21, 1192, Minamoto no Yoritomo was appointed Seii Tai Shogun, a title that translates to “Barbarian-subduing Generalissimo.” This event marked the establishment of the first shogunate in Japan, known as the Kamakura Shogunate.
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Yoritomo’s ascension to this position followed years of conflict and consolidation of power, which culminated in the defeat of the Taira clan during the Genpei War.
As Shogun, Yoritomo held the real power in Japan, overshadowing the emperor, and established a military government that would last until 1333. This shift in power dynamics set the stage for nearly 700 years of shogunal rule in Japan.
1680 – Pueblo Revolt
The Pueblo Revolt of August 21, 1680, was a significant uprising of indigenous Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico. The revolt was orchestrated by a Tewa religious leader named Popé, who united various Pueblo tribes to drive the Spanish out of their territory.
The Pueblos successfully captured Santa Fe, forcing the Spanish to flee south to El Paso. This revolt was fueled by decades of oppressive Spanish policies, including forced labor, religious persecution, and land dispossession.
The Pueblo Revolt stands as a powerful symbol of resistance against colonialism and had a lasting impact on the cultural and political landscape of the region.
1831 – Nat Turner’s Rebellion

On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner, an enslaved African American preacher, led a violent rebellion against slavery in Southampton County, Virginia.
Turner and his followers, using axes, knives, and blunt instruments, killed approximately 60 white people, including men, women, and children. The rebellion lasted for two days before being suppressed by the local militia.
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In the aftermath, Turner was captured, tried, and executed, and harsh laws were enacted to further control the enslaved population and suppress any future insurrections.
Turner’s Rebellion had a profound effect on the national conversation about slavery and is remembered as one of the most significant acts of resistance by enslaved people in American history.
1852 – Tlingit Indians Destroy Fort Selkirk
On August 21, 1852, Tlingit Indians attacked and destroyed Fort Selkirk, a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post located in what is now Yukon Territory, Canada. The Tlingit, feeling threatened by the encroachment of the fur traders on their territory and trade routes, launched a surprise assault on the fort.
The attack resulted in the fort being burned to the ground and its inhabitants forced to flee. This event highlighted the tensions between indigenous groups and European settlers, as well as the complex dynamics of trade and territorial control in the region. The destruction of Fort Selkirk was a stark reminder of the resistance to colonial expansion by native peoples.
1863 – Lawrence Massacre
The Lawrence Massacre, also known as Quantrill’s Raid, occurred on August 21, 1863, during the American Civil War. Led by Confederate guerrilla leader William Quantrill, a group of pro-Confederate raiders attacked the abolitionist town of Lawrence, Kansas. The raid resulted in the brutal killing of approximately 200 men and boys and the burning of much of the town.
This attack was motivated by a desire for revenge against the Union forces and local anti-slavery proponents. The Lawrence Massacre is remembered as one of the most horrific events of the Civil War and exemplified the brutal guerrilla warfare that characterized much of the conflict in the border states.
1883 – Tornado Strikes Rochester, Minnesota
On August 21, 1883, a devastating tornado struck Rochester, Minnesota, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The tornado, a violent and unforeseen natural disaster, left the community in dire need of medical assistance. The calamity became a pivotal moment in the history of American medicine.
Dr. William Worrall Mayo, along with his sons William and Charles, took a leading role in providing medical care to the injured. This event laid the foundation for what would become the Mayo Clinic.
The response to the tornado showcased the Mayo family’s medical expertise and commitment to community service, and their collaborative approach to healthcare would evolve into one of the world’s leading medical institutions.
1911 – The Mona Lisa is Stolen

On August 21, 1911, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The theft shocked the world and led to a massive investigation. The painting was taken by Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman who believed that the artwork belonged in Italy and should be returned there.
Peruggia hid the painting in his apartment for over two years before attempting to sell it to a gallery in Florence, where he was caught and the Mona Lisa was recovered. The incident significantly increased the painting’s fame, making it one of the most recognized and celebrated works of art in the world.
1914 – Battle of Charleroi Begins
The Battle of Charleroi, a significant engagement during World War I, began on August 21, 1914. The battle was part of the larger German offensive aimed at quickly defeating French and Belgian forces. The French Fifth Army, commanded by General Charles Lanrezac, faced the advancing German Second and Third Armies.
The fighting was intense and brutal, characterized by heavy artillery bombardments and close-quarters combat. Despite their determined resistance, the French forces were eventually forced to retreat, suffering heavy casualties.
The Battle of Charleroi highlighted the ferocity of early World War I battles and foreshadowed the prolonged and grueling nature of the conflict.
1942 – Guadalcanal Campaign: Battle of the Tenaru
On August 21, 1942, during World War II, American forces engaged Japanese troops in the Battle of the Tenaru on Guadalcanal. This battle was part of the broader Guadalcanal Campaign, a critical series of engagements in the Pacific Theater. The Japanese launched a nighttime assault against the American defensive positions at the Tenaru River.
The Americans, well-prepared and fortified, repelled the attack with heavy gunfire and artillery support. The battle resulted in a decisive American victory, with significant Japanese casualties. This victory boosted Allied morale and marked the first major land defeat for the Japanese, signaling a turning point in the Pacific War.
1959 – Hawaii Becomes the 50th State of the United States
On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was officially admitted as the 50th state of the United States. The admission of Hawaii marked the culmination of a long process of integration, beginning with its annexation by the U.S. in 1898 and its designation as a U.S. territory in 1900.
The push for statehood gained momentum after World War II, as the strategic importance of Hawaii became increasingly apparent. The residents of Hawaii voted overwhelmingly in favor of statehood in a referendum held in 1959.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union, making it the newest state and solidifying its role as a key cultural and strategic asset in the Pacific.
1961 – Motown Releases “Please Mr. Postman”
On August 21, 1961, Motown released “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes, which would become the label’s first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about waiting for a letter from a loved one, captured the hearts of listeners across the nation.
Written by Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, and Robert Bateman, and featuring lead vocals by Gladys Horton, “Please Mr. Postman” became an anthem of the early 1960s and played a significant role in establishing Motown as a dominant force in the music industry.
This success paved the way for future hits by Motown artists and solidified the label’s reputation for producing timeless and influential music.
1963 – The X-15 Rocket Plane Reaches the Edge of Space

On August 21, 1963, the X-15 rocket plane, piloted by Joe Walker, achieved a historic flight by reaching an altitude of 354,200 feet (107.8 km), crossing the boundary of space as defined by the Kármán line (100 km).
This flight, conducted by NASA and the U.S. Air Force, was part of the X-15 program aimed at exploring the capabilities of high-speed and high-altitude flight. The X-15, a pioneering aircraft in terms of design and technology, provided invaluable data on aerodynamics, control systems, and the effects of spaceflight on the human body.
Walker’s flight demonstrated the potential for manned space travel and contributed to the advancements that would eventually lead to the Apollo moon landings.
1968 – Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia
On August 21, 1968, troops from the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization and reform led by Alexander Dubček.
The Prague Spring had introduced various reforms, including increased freedom of speech, press, and travel, and a decentralization of the economy. The Soviet leadership, fearing the spread of these liberal ideas to other Eastern Bloc countries, decided to intervene militarily.
The invasion involved over 200,000 troops and 5,000 tanks, effectively ending the reforms and reinstating hardline Communist control. The event was a stark reminder of the limits of Soviet tolerance for political change within its sphere of influence and had a profound impact on the Cold War dynamics.
1969 – First Solo Transatlantic Flight by a Woman
On August 21, 1969, Anne McCaughey, an Australian teacher and pilot, became the first woman to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. McCaughey embarked on this historic journey to demonstrate women’s capabilities in aviation and to inspire others to pursue their dreams regardless of gender barriers.
She flew a single-engine Piper Comanche from England to the United States, covering approximately 3,500 miles and encountering various challenges such as weather conditions and navigation difficulties.
Her successful flight was celebrated worldwide and marked a significant milestone in the history of aviation, highlighting the increasing participation of women in the field and their contributions to its advancement.
1983 – Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.
On August 21, 1983, Philippine opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated upon his return to Manila after three years of self-imposed exile in the United States. Aquino was a prominent critic of the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand Marcos and had been imprisoned for his opposition activities.
His assassination, which occurred at the Manila International Airport (later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor), sparked widespread outrage and became a turning point in Philippine history.
The event galvanized the opposition movement, leading to the People Power Revolution in 1986, which eventually ousted Marcos from power and restored democracy in the Philippines. Aquino’s death is remembered as a symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice in the country.
1991 – Latvia Declares Independence from the Soviet Union
On August 21, 1991, Latvia declared its independence from the Soviet Union, marking a significant moment in the dissolution of the Soviet bloc. The declaration came during a period of political turmoil and upheaval in the Soviet Union, which included a failed coup attempt against President Mikhail Gorbachev by hardline Communists.
Latvia’s move towards independence was part of a larger wave of Baltic nationalism that saw Lithuania and Estonia also seeking to reclaim their sovereignty. Latvia’s independence was formally recognized by the Soviet Union in September 1991. This declaration not only restored Latvia’s sovereignty but also contributed to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union later that year.
1991 – Coup Attempt Against Mikhail Gorbachev Collapses

On August 21, 1991, the coup attempt against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, initiated by hardline members of the Communist Party, collapsed.
The coup, which began on August 19, aimed to halt Gorbachev’s reforms, including policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which the plotters feared would lead to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
The failure of the coup was largely due to widespread popular resistance and the decisive actions of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who famously stood atop a tank outside the Russian parliament building to rally opposition against the coup.
The collapse of the coup attempt significantly weakened the Communist Party’s grip on power and accelerated the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leading to greater independence for Soviet republics and the eventual end of the Cold War.
1993 – NASA Loses Contact with Mars Observer
On August 21, 1993, NASA lost contact with the Mars Observer spacecraft just three days before it was scheduled to enter orbit around Mars. The Mars Observer, launched on 25th September, 1992, was a robotic space probe intended to study the Martian surface, atmosphere, and climate.
The mission aimed to provide detailed maps of the planet and gather data on its geology and atmosphere, significantly advancing our understanding of Mars. The loss of contact, believed to have been caused by a catastrophic failure during pressurization of the spacecraft’s fuel tanks, resulted in the mission’s abrupt end.
The incident was a major setback for NASA’s Mars exploration program, prompting a thorough investigation and subsequent improvements in spacecraft design and mission planning.
2000 – Tiger Woods Wins the PGA Championship
On August 21, 2000, Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, securing his third major victory of the year.
This win made Woods the first golfer since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three major championships in a single calendar year. Woods’ performance in the 2000 PGA Championship was marked by a thrilling playoff against Bob May, which Woods won with a birdie on the first extra hole.
This victory was part of an extraordinary season for Woods, solidifying his status as one of the greatest golfers of all time. His dominance in the sport during this period, often referred to as the “Tiger Slam,” had a profound impact on the popularity of golf worldwide and inspired a new generation of golfers.
2017 – Total Solar Eclipse Across the United States
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse was visible across a broad swath of the contiguous United States, the first such event since 1918.
The eclipse path of totality, where the moon completely covered the sun, stretched from the Pacific Northwest to the southeastern United States, passing through states such as Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
Millions of people across the country witnessed this rare celestial event, with many traveling to locations within the path of totality for optimal viewing. The eclipse provided a unique opportunity for scientific research and public education, with numerous observations and experiments conducted by astronomers and enthusiasts alike.