July 21: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2021: In July 2021, the Taliban launched a major military offensive across Afghanistan, rapidly gaining control of approximately 50% of the country's districts. This aggressive campaign coincided with the imminent withdrawal of foreign military forces, particularly U.S. and NATO troops, creating a critical turning point in Afghanistan's long-standing conflict. The Taliban's strategic advances signaled an impending shift in the country's political and territorial control, setting the stage for a significant geopolitical transformation.
• 2014: After an emergency meeting, the United Nations Security Council unanimously demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
• 2011: Violent crackdown in Homs, Syria's third-largest city, with gunfire, arrests, and widespread violence aimed at suppressing anti-government protests during the ongoing Syrian civil unrest.
• 2004: Edward B. Lewis, a prominent American geneticist who was a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, passed away on this date. Lewis was a pioneering researcher in developmental genetics, known for his groundbreaking work on genetic mutations and embryonic development.
• 2002: Telecommunications giant WorldCom files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking the largest corporate bankruptcy in United States history at the time. This event signaled significant financial turmoil and accounting irregularities in the telecommunications sector.
• 1999: Two professional divers tragically lost their lives during a critical infrastructure maintenance project in the Deer Island Outfall Tunnel. The incident occurred while they were attempting to remove safety plugs inside risers that lead to the bottom of Massachusetts Bay, highlighting the inherent risks in underwater construction and maintenance work.
• 1995: Cricket player Brian Lara completed a pair (two consecutive zero scores) while playing for West Indians against Kent in a match on July 21, 1995.
• 1988: Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis formally accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States at the 1988 Democratic National Convention, positioning himself as a candidate in the presidential election against Republican nominee George H.W. Bush.
• 1985: The musical 'Leader of the Pack' concludes its run at the Ambassador Theater in New York City after 120 performances, marking the end of its Broadway engagement.
• 1981: In a remarkable cricket match at Headingley, England dramatically defeated Australia. Australia set a target of 130 runs to win, but were dramatically bowled out for just 111 runs. Bob Willis was the standout performer, taking an extraordinary 8 wickets for 43 runs.

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July 21st marks the 202nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 203rd in case of leap years).

There are 163 days remaining until the end of the year.

July 21st is the 21st day of the month of July.

What day of the week is July 21?

On July 21st, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.

Holidays and Observances on July 21

The zodiac sign associated with July 21st is Cancer according to the Western Zodiac.

More about July 21 zodiac

What is special about the Cancer sign?

• Cancer personality traits and attitude
• Cancer most and least compatible signs
• Why July born are so special