This article explores notable historical events that occurred on July 21st across various centuries and regions. From ancient milestones to significant modern achievements, each event has profoundly influenced the world.
We cover a range of events, including groundbreaking achievements in science and politics, pivotal battles, and impactful acts of violence.
These moments not only shaped history but continue to influence our present-day world, highlighting the enduring legacy of July 21st in global history.
July 21st – On this Day in History
356 BC – Destruction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis, located in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey), was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was renowned for its breathtaking size and splendor. However, on July 21, 356 BC, the temple was destroyed in an act of arson committed by a man named Herostratus.
His motivation was to achieve lasting fame, and according to ancient sources, his name was to be stricken from all records and never mentioned again, ironically preserving his infamy. The temple was later rebuilt only to be destroyed again by the Goths and eventually abandoned.
285 – Maximian appointed Caesar by Diocletian
In a significant political move on July 21, 285, Roman Emperor Diocletian elevated his trusted military companion Maximian to the rank of Caesar, effectively making him co-ruler.
This appointment was part of Diocletian’s larger plan to implement the Tetrarchy, where the Roman Empire was ruled by two senior emperors and two junior co-emperors.
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Maximian’s primary responsibility was to manage the Western part of the empire, while Diocletian focused on the Eastern regions. This division of power was intended to bring more order and stability to the sprawling empire.
1403 – Battle of Shrewsbury
The Battle of Shrewsbury was a decisive confrontation between King Henry IV of England and a rebel force led by Henry “Hotspur” Percy, taking place on July 21, 1403.
The battle was fought to suppress Percy’s rebellion, which challenged Henry’s claim to the throne and protested against the financial and military demands he imposed.
It was one of the first English battles where archery played a significant role, demonstrating the deadly effectiveness of the longbow. The battle ended in a royal victory, with Percy killed in combat, solidifying King Henry IV’s reign.
1545 – French invasion of the Isle of Wight
On July 21, 1545, during the Italian Wars, which involved major European powers vying for dominance over Italy and other territories, the French launched an invasion of the Isle of Wight. This strategic move was part of a larger campaign to invade England itself.
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The attack was ultimately unsuccessful, but it caused considerable alarm across England. It led to significant military reforms and fortifications along the English coast, prompted by the vulnerabilities exposed by the French attack.
1588 – Battle with the Spanish Armada in the English Channel
On July 21, 1588, the Spanish Armada, a large fleet sent by King Philip II of Spain, encountered the English fleet in the English Channel.
This encounter was part of Spain’s ambitious plan to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and stop England’s interference in the Spanish Netherlands.
Over several days, the English fleet, using innovative tactics and leveraging their ships’ superior maneuverability, harassed and inflicted significant damage on the Spanish fleet.
This running battle marked the beginning of the end for the Spanish Armada’s mission, which eventually culminated in its disastrous defeat.
1798 – Battle of the Pyramids
The Battle of the Pyramids, fought on July 21, 1798, was a pivotal confrontation in Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian Campaign. Aimed at undermining British access to India, the campaign was also a scientific and cultural expedition.
At the battle, French forces utilized the innovative ‘divisional square’ tactic against the Mamluk cavalry, which was then ruling Egypt. This tactical formation allowed the French infantry to efficiently fire in all directions and was instrumental in their decisive victory.
The battle, famously fought within view of the Great Pyramids of Giza, not only secured Napoleon’s control over Egypt but also bolstered his legendary military reputation.
1831 – Inauguration of Leopold I of Belgium
On July 21, 1831, Leopold I was inaugurated as the first King of the Belgians, marking the establishment of modern Belgium as a constitutional monarchy. This followed Belgium’s successful revolution against Dutch rule in 1830.
Leopold’s ascension to the throne was a critical step in stabilizing the young nation’s international status and internal governance. His reign, which lasted until 1865, was characterized by significant modernization of the Belgian state and infrastructure, helping to solidify Belgium’s identity and independence among European nations.
1861 – First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Manassas, was fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia. It was the first major land battle of the American Civil War. The conflict arose when Union forces attempted to march from Washington, D.C., toward Confederate-held Richmond, Virginia.
The battle ended in a Confederate victory, shocking the North and boosting Southern morale. This confrontation demonstrated that the war would be longer and more brutal than either side had anticipated, dispelling any remaining illusions of a quick and decisive conflict.
1865 – Wild Bill Hickok’s shootout with Davis Tutt
On July 21, 1865, in Springfield, Missouri, one of the most famous gunfights of the American Old West took place between James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok and Davis Tutt. The dispute arose over a gambling debt and the honor of wearing a watch, which Tutt had taken from Hickok.
They faced each other in Springfield’s town square, drawing their pistols in a classic quick-draw duel. Hickok shot Tutt dead from about 75 yards, an impressive feat with the firearms of the time. This event cemented Hickok’s reputation as a legendary figure in the Old West.
1873 – First successful train robbery by Jesse James
On July 21, 1873, Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang carried out what is considered the first successful train robbery in the American West. The robbery took place near Adair, Iowa, where the gang derailed and then looted a Rock Island Line train.
This audacious heist netted them a significant sum and marked a turning point in criminal activity in the United States, setting a precedent for future train robberies. The event added to the notoriety of Jesse James as a folk hero and outlaw, a figure romanticized in American folklore and media.
1925 – Malcolm Campbell exceeds 150 mph on land
On July 21, 1925, British racing motorist Sir Malcolm Campbell made history by becoming the first person to drive an automobile over 150 miles per hour (241 km/h) on land. This record-breaking event took place at Pendine Sands in Wales, where Campbell drove his famous Blue Bird car.
The achievement was not just a testament to Campbell’s daring and skill but also a milestone in the evolution of automotive technology and aerodynamics. His continual quest for speed would eventually lead him to set multiple land speed records throughout his career.
1944 – July 20 Plot against Hitler
The July 20 Plot, executed on July 20, 1944, but having repercussions into the following day, was an assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler by German army officers.
Led by Claus von Stauffenberg, the conspirators planted a bomb in a briefcase at Hitler’s headquarters, the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia.
The bomb exploded, but Hitler survived with only minor injuries, due to the placement of the briefcase behind a heavy table leg which deflected the blast. The failure of the plot led to the execution of around 4,980 people, decimating the German resistance movement.
1954 – Geneva Conference partitions Vietnam
The Geneva Conference, culminating on July 21, 1954, was convened to resolve various issues stemming from the Korean and Indochina Wars.
Regarding Vietnam, which had been under French colonial control, the conference resulted in the temporary partition of Vietnam along the 17th parallel, with the North being governed by the Communist forces of Ho Chi Minh, and the South under the control of Emperor Bao Dai.
This division set the stage for the Vietnam War, as the reunification of the country became a contentious and bloody process.
1960 – Sirimavo Bandaranaike becomes the first female head of government
On July 21, 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka was elected as Prime Minister, becoming the world’s first female head of government. Her election followed the assassination of her husband, Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike.
Her leadership was marked by a focus on social policies and promoting agriculture, but also involved assertive measures such as nationalizing schools and the enactment of policies favoring Sinhalese and Buddhist majorities, which later fueled ethnic tensions. Her legacy is a complex blend of pioneering leadership and controversial policies.
1969 – Apollo 11 Moon landing
Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, part of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, made history on July 21, 1969, when they became the first humans to walk on the Moon. This momentous event occurred just hours after their lunar module, the Eagle, had landed on the lunar surface on July 20.
As Armstrong stepped onto the Moon, he famously declared, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
This achievement not only represented a pinnacle of human ingenuity and resolve but also marked a significant milestone in the space race during the Cold War era, showcasing American technological prowess.
1970 – Completion of the Aswan High Dam
On July 21, 1970, the Aswan High Dam in Egypt was officially completed. This monumental engineering feat was constructed across the Nile River in Aswan. The dam has had a profound impact on the economy and culture of Egypt.
It provides flood protection, increased water storage for irrigation, and hydroelectric power, which significantly contributes to the country’s electrical supply. However, the dam also caused the displacement of thousands and led to significant ecological changes, including the loss of nutrient-rich silt downstream, fundamentally altering the agricultural landscape of the Nile delta.
1972 – Bloody Friday bombings in Belfast
July 21, 1972, marked one of the darkest days during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, known as Bloody Friday. On this day, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) set off 22 bombs across Belfast, aiming to disrupt the city and draw attention to their cause.
The attacks resulted in nine deaths and over 130 injuries, causing widespread chaos and suffering. The bombings were met with horror both locally and internationally, and they significantly undermined sympathy for the IRA’s cause, highlighting the brutal nature of the conflict.
1976 – Assassination of British ambassador Christopher Ewart-Biggs
On July 21, 1976, Christopher Ewart-Biggs, the British ambassador to Ireland, was assassinated by the IRA. This occurred just two weeks after he took up his post, underlining the volatile and dangerous climate of the time.
The ambassador’s car was struck by a landmine near his residence in Dublin. The assassination was part of the IRA’s ongoing campaign against British administrative and political figures, which was intended to protest British rule in Northern Ireland but often resulted in strengthening the resolve of the British government.
1983 – Record low temperature recorded at Vostok Station, Antarctica
On July 21, 1983, the world’s lowest natural temperature was recorded at Vostok Station, a Russian research station in Antarctica. The temperature plunged to an astonishing minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 89.2 degrees Celsius).
This extreme record highlights the harsh conditions faced in Antarctica and has implications for understanding the limits of human and technological endurance in extreme environments, as well as providing valuable data for climate science and meteorological studies.
2011 – End of NASA’s Space Shuttle program with STS-135
The Space Shuttle program, a pivotal part of America’s space exploration history, concluded with the landing of Atlantis on July 21, 2011. This final mission, STS-135, marked the end of a 30-year era during which the Space Shuttle fleet had become a symbol of scientific and technological prowess.
The program was essential for constructing the International Space Station, launching satellites, and conducting scientific research. The retirement of the fleet led to a transitional period for NASA, which shifted focus towards developing new space exploration technologies and partnerships with private aerospace companies.