Discover what happened on August 21 in history as American milestones, musical breakthroughs, scientific wonders, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on August 21 in History?
On this day, Hawaii became the 50th state, Motown released the Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman,” and the Great American Eclipse swept across the continental United States.
AUGUST 21 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1878 – The American Bar Association was formed by a group of lawyers, judges and law professors in Saratoga, NY.
1888 – The first successful adding machine was patented by William Seward Burroughs.
1897 – Ransom E. Olds founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, MI. The company eventually became Oldsmobile and was acquired by General Motors in 1908.
1912 – Arthur R. Eldred became the first American boy to become an Eagle Scout — the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
1923 – In Kalamazoo, MI, an ordinance was passed forbidding dancers from gazing into the eyes of their partner.
1942 – Walt Disney’s animated classic Bambi was released in theaters across the United States following its New York premiere earlier in the month.
1959 – Hawaii became the 50th state when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting it to the Union. Eisenhower also ordered the creation of a new 50-star American flag.
1961 – Motown released “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes. The song later became Motown’s first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
1965 – Gemini Five was launched from Cape Canaveral on an eight day mission.
1969 – The first Gap store opened in San Francisco, CA.
1984 – Clint Eastwood received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1987 – The movie “Dirty Dancing” opened in theaters.
1992 – The Ruby Ridge standoff in Idaho began.
1993 – NASA lost contact with the Mars Observer spacecraft. The fate of the spacecraft was unknown. The mission cost $980 million.
1996 – President Bill Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to improve the portability of health insurance coverage and establish national standards for healthcare information.
1997 – Hudson Foods closed a Nebraska processing plant after recalling 25 million pounds of ground beef potentially contaminated with E. coli, at the time the largest meat recall in U.S. history.
1997 – Cicely Tyson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1998 – Wesley Snipes received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2017 – The Great American Eclipse crossed the continental United States from Oregon to South Carolina, becoming the first total solar eclipse visible from coast to coast in the U.S. since 1918.
2020 – South Korean pop group BTS released “Dynamite.” Its music video became the first YouTube video to receive more than 100 million views within 24 hours.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 21:
Steve Cowper – 88 years old (1938) – Politician, 6th Governor of Alaska
James Burton – 87 years old (1939) – Hall of Fame guitarist
Endre Szemerédi – 86 years old (1940) – Hungarian-American mathematician and computer scientist
Jackie DeShannon – 85 years old (1941) – Singer-songwriter
Jerry DaVanon – 81 years old (1945) – Baseball player
Willie Lanier – 81 years old (1945) – Football player
Patty McCormack – 81 years old (1945) – Actress
Carl Giammarese – 79 years old (1947) – Singer-songwriter and musician
Loretta Devine – 77 years old (1949) – Actress and singer
Arthur Bremer – 76 years old (1950) – Attempted assassin of George Wallace
Chesley V. Morton – 75 years old (1951) – Businessman and politician
Ivan Stang – 73 years old (1953) – Author, publisher, and director
Archie Griffin – 72 years old (1954) – Football player
Steve Smith – 72 years old (1954) – Drummer
Jon Tester – 70 years old (1956) – Farmer and politician
Steve Case – 68 years old (1958) – Businessman, co-founder of America Online (AOL)
Jim McMahon – 67 years old (1959) – Football player and coach
Cleo King – 64 years old (1962) – Actress
John Korfas – 64 years old (1962) – Greek-American basketball player and coach
Pete Weber – 64 years old (1962) – Bowler
Jim Bullinger – 61 years old (1965) – Baseball player
John Wetteland – 60 years old (1966) – Baseball player and coach
Serj Tankian – 59 years old (1967) – Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer
Craig Counsell – 56 years old (1970) – Baseball player and coach
Sergey Brin – 53 years old (1973) – Russian-American computer scientist and businessman, co-founded Google
Alicia Witt – 51 years old (1975) – Actress and musician
Alex Brooks – 50 years old (1976) – Ice hockey player and scout
Jeff Cunningham – 50 years old (1976) – Jamaican-American soccer player
Ramón Vázquez – 50 years old (1976) – Puerto Rican-American baseball player and coach
Reuben Droughns – 48 years old (1978) – Football player and coach
Lee Gronkiewicz – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player and coach
Jason Marquis – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player
Kelis – 47 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, producer, chef and author
Burney Lamar – 46 years old (1980) – Race car driver
Paul Menard – 46 years old (1980) – Race car driver
Cameron Winklevoss – 45 years old (1981) – Rower and businessman, co-founded ConnectU
Tyler Winklevoss – 45 years old (1981) – Rower and businessman, co-founded ConnectU
Ross Thomas – 45 years old (1981) – Actor
Brody Jenner – 43 years old (1983) – Television personality and model
Melvin Upton – 42 years old (1984) – Jr. , American baseball player
Brooks Wheelan – 40 years old (1986) – Comedian and actor
DeWanna Bonner – 39 years old (1987) – American-Macedonian basketball player
Cody Kasch – 39 years old (1987) – Actor
J. D. Martinez – 39 years old (1987) – Baseball player
Jodie Meeks – 39 years old (1987) – Basketball player and coach
Kacey Musgraves – 38 years old (1988) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Bo Burnham – 36 years old (1990) – Comedian, musician, actor, filmmaker and poet
Jesse Rutherford – 35 years old (1991) – Singer and songwriter
Brandon Drury – 34 years old (1992) – Baseball player
RJ Mitte – 34 years old (1992) – Actor
Mike Evans – 33 years old (1993) – Football player
Alex Cooper – 32 years old (1994) – Podcaster
Maxim Knight – 27 years old (1999) – Actor
Corbin Carroll – 26 years old (2000) – Baseball player
Piper Rockelle – 19 years old (2007) – Model and singer
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR AUGUST 21:
- Kool Aid Day: Revitalize the taste buds with a vibrant burst of fruity and refreshing powdered beverage, a timeless thirst-quenching delight.
- Men’s Grooming Day: Men of the world, end the scruffiness and disarray and focus on your grooming. Take some time to shave, trim, or even visit a professional salon or barber.
- National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day: As the number one killer of young adults between 18-45 in the US today, fentanyl is a drug that can be addictive from the first use, with the possibility of deadly poisoning in only the smallest trace amounts. National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is an opportunity for individuals, families, schools...
- Poet’s Day: Connect with your inner poet by writing some poetry yourself, or read the beautiful words of poets of all eras, from the Ancient Greeks to contemporary poets.
- Gold Cup Parade: The Gold Cup Parade in Charlottetown is a must-see event full of excitement and vibrant displays. As the largest parade in Atlantic Canada, it features a dazzling array of floats, marching bands, antique cars, and giant balloons. The streets come alive with color and music, drawing in thousands of spectators...
- National Spumoni Day: Enjoy some Spumoni, a layered Italian ice cream with cream, fruit, and nuts. For the authentic experience, don’t use a spoon; you have to slice it.
- National Brazilian Blowout Day: National Brazilian Blowout Day is a vibrant celebration of hair care, specifically focusing on the Brazilian Blowout treatment. This day shines a spotlight on a method that tames frizz, leaving hair smooth and glossy. During the hot, humid summer, many people turn to this treatment to keep their hair looking...
- International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism: Honoring the memory of those lost and supporting the resilience of survivors through compassion and meaningful action.
- Bullying No Way Week: Bullying No Way Week unites Australian schools, students, and families in tackling bullying together. This annual event urges young people to recognize bullying, understand its effects, and learn how to act against it. How to Observe Bullying No Way Week Here are some creative ways to observe Bullying No Way Week. These...
- Hawaiian Shirt Day: Hawaiian Shirt Day brings a burst of color to everyday life. One moment you're in a stiff office chair, the next you're grinning at someone’s shirt covered in pineapples. It’s simple—pull on a wild, flower-covered button-up, and suddenly everything feels a bit less serious. People light up when they see each...
- Internet Self-Care Day: When was the last time scrolling left you more tired than relaxed? Internet Self-Care Day steps in to change that. It reminds us that digital spaces can either lift us or wear us down. The goal isn’t to log off forever. It’s to pay attention to how each click makes...
- National Senior Citizens Day: Volunteer to visit elderly people living alone, or spend time with senior citizens at an assisted care facility or nursing home on Senior Citizens Day.
- Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
- National Aviation Week: National Aviation Week is a time to look up and celebrate the sky's vastness and the marvels that allow us to explore it. This special week highlights the incredible journey of human flight, from the Wright brothers' first successful airplane to today’s sophisticated aircraft. It's a chance to reflect on...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
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