August 21: What Happened on This Day in History
August 21st marks the 233rd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 234th in case of leap years). There are 132 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 21st in history, famous birthdays on August 21st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 21.
What happened on August 21?
Here's what happened on August 21st in history:
- 2013: DUPE
- 2008: Somali pirates demonstrated their ongoing maritime threat by capturing three vessels within a two-day period, underscoring the persistent maritime security challenges in the Horn of Africa region.
- 2006: Bismillah Khan, a legendary Indian classical musician and maestro of the shehnai (a traditional wind instrument), passed away. He was a pivotal figure in Indian classical music, known for elevating the shehnai from a folk instrument to a concert stage performance.
- 1990: A coalition of West African nations, including Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, deployed peacekeeping forces to intervene in the First Liberian Civil War. This multinational military effort, known as ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group), aimed to stabilize the conflict and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Liberia.
- 1987: Kim Kibum, a Korean singer and member of the popular K-pop group Super Junior, was born on this date.
- 1986: In Suriname, the Jungle Commandos, led by Ronnie Brunswijk, engaged in political conflict by killing two government officials, highlighting the ongoing political tensions and instability in the country during this period.
- 1983: The groundbreaking musical 'La Cage aux Folles' opens at the Palace Theater in New York City, beginning a successful run of 1,761 performances. The show, known for its progressive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, became a significant cultural milestone in musical theater.
- 1978: A groundbreaking television film aired, documenting the landmark case of Leonard Matlovich, a gay U.S. Air Force sergeant who was discharged for being homosexual. The film 'Matlovich vs. U.S. Air Force' was a significant moment in LGBTQ+ media representation and civil rights history, highlighting the discrimination faced by gay service members during the late 1970s.
- 1977: Professional golfer Debbie Austin secured her victory at the LPGA Wheeling Golf Classic, showcasing her skill and competitive prowess in women's professional golf during the late 1970s. This win highlighted the growing prominence of women's sports and golf tournaments during that era.
- 1975: The United States government made a significant diplomatic move by partially lifting its long-standing trade embargo against Cuba, allowing foreign subsidiaries of American companies to engage in limited trade with the Caribbean nation.
What famous birthdays are on August 21?
On August 21st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Usain Bolt]()
Usain Bolt (1986)Jamaican sprinter widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time, holding world records in 100m and 200m, and winning multiple Olympic...
![Kenny Rogers]()
Kenny Rogers (1938)Legendary country-western singer and entertainer who rose from humble beginnings in Houston to become a music icon.
![Joe Strummer]()
Joe Strummer (1952)Legendary frontman of punk rock band The Clash, known for his influential music and political activism.
![Carrie-Anne Moss]()
Carrie-Anne Moss (1967)Carrie-Anne Moss is a renowned Canadian actress best known for her iconic role as Trinity in the groundbreaking science fiction film series...
![Kim Cattrall]()
Kim Cattrall (1956)Kim Cattrall is a renowned English-Canadian actress best known for her iconic role as Samantha Jones in HBO's groundbreaking series Sex and...
![Bo Burnham]()
Bo Burnham (1990)Renowned comedian, actor, and multi-talented artist known for his satirical musical comedy and critically acclaimed work in film and...
![Loretta Devine]()
Loretta Devine (1949)Renowned American actress and singer known for her roles in television series like Grey's Anatomy and films such as Waiting to Exhale.
![Hayden Panettiere]()
Hayden Panettiere (1989)Acclaimed American actress known for her breakthrough roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville', who has been nominated for multiple Golden Globe...
![RJ Mitte]()
![Barry Norman]()
Barry Norman (1933)Renowned British film critic and television presenter who was widely known for his influential BBC film review show for over 25 years.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on August 21?
On August 21st the following celebrities died:
![Leon Trotsky]()
- Charles Eames (1978)
Iconic American designer who revolutionized mid-20th century architecture and furniture design, creating groundbreaking pieces that blended...
- Ray Eames (1988)
Pioneering American designer who revolutionized mid-century modern design through her groundbreaking collaborative work with her husband...
- Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1995)
Legendary Indian-American astrophysicist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding stellar evolution and was awarded the Nobel...
- Robert Moog (2005)
Pioneering electronic engineer who revolutionized music by inventing the Moog synthesizer, fundamentally transforming electronic music...
- Raul Seixas (1989)
Legendary Brazilian rock musician and composer known for pioneering Brazilian rock and counterculture music.
- Giuseppe Meazza (1979)
Giuseppe Meazza was a legendary Italian footballer who played as a forward and midfielder for Inter Milan and the Italian national team.
- Benigno Aquino Jr. (1983)
Filipino opposition leader who was assassinated in 1983, playing a crucial role in challenging Ferdinand Marcos's authoritarian regime and...
What day of the year is August 21?
August 21st marks the 233rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 234th in case of leap years).
There are 132 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 21st is the 21st day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 21?
On August 21st, 2025 the day of the week is Thursday.
| August | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 21?
The zodiac sign associated with August 21st is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
