May 21: What Happened on This Day in History
May 21st marks the 141st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 142nd in case of leap years). There are 224 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 21st in history, famous birthdays on May 21st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 21.
What happened on May 21?
Here's what happened on May 21st in history:
- 2022: A devastating tornado ripped through Gaylord, Michigan on Friday afternoon, causing significant destruction. The severe weather event resulted in at least one fatality and over 40 injuries. The tornado caused extensive damage, including tearing roofs off buildings, uprooting trees, overturning vehicles, and bringing down power lines.
- 2017: In a devastating attack during the ongoing War in Afghanistan, Taliban militants killed at least 20 Afghan police officers in a raid in southern Afghanistan, highlighting the continued instability in the region.
- 2016: A homeopathic doctor in Bangladesh was killed in a targeted attack, with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claiming responsibility, highlighting ongoing religious tensions.
- 2012: FARC rebels conducted a deadly ambush near the Colombian-Venezuelan border, killing 12 Colombian soldiers and wounding four others, demonstrating the ongoing guerrilla conflict in the region.
- 2009: Linda Fleming, a 66-year-old woman with advanced cancer, became the first person to utilize Washington State's new assisted suicide law, marking a significant moment in end-of-life legislation.
- 2005: Elena Paparizou wins the 50th Eurovision Song Contest for Greece in Kiev, Ukraine, performing the song "My Number One". This marked a significant moment for Greek music on the international stage, with Paparizou's performance captivating audiences across Europe.
- 2003: F.C. Porto secured a thrilling victory in the UEFA Cup Final, defeating Celtic 3-2 in an exciting match that went into extra time, held in Seville, Spain.
- 1980: The highly anticipated sequel to Star Wars, 'The Empire Strikes Back', premieres in movie theaters across the United States, becoming an instant cultural phenomenon and expanding the iconic science fiction saga.
- 1979: The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers 4 games to 1 in the Stanley Cup Finals, continuing their dominance in professional ice hockey during the late 1970s.
- 1974: Havoc, a prominent American rapper and music producer, best known as a member of the influential hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, was born on this date. Havoc, alongside Prodigy, helped define the East Coast hip-hop sound in the 1990s with their gritty, hardcore rap style.
What famous birthdays are on May 21?
On May 21st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Tom Daley]()
Tom Daley (1994)Tom Daley is a renowned British Olympic diver who has won multiple medals and become a global sports icon, known for his exceptional diving...
![Raymond Burr]()
Raymond Burr (1917)Raymond Burr was a renowned actor famous for his iconic roles in TV series Perry Mason and Ironside, and was also known for his humanitarian...
![Nora Aunor]()
Nora Aunor (1953)Highly acclaimed Filipino actress known as 'The Superstar', she is a prominent figure in Philippine cinema with numerous awards and...
![Al Franken]()
Al Franken (1951)Al Franken is an American comedian, writer, and former US Senator who gained fame through Saturday Night Live and later became a political...
![Fats Waller]()
Fats Waller (1904)Legendary jazz pianist, composer, and singer known for his virtuosic keyboard skills and humorous performances during the Harlem Renaissance...
![Julie Vega]()
Julie Vega (1968)Popular Filipino child actress and singer known for her significant impact on Philippine entertainment during the 1980s.
![Nick Cassavetes]()
Nick Cassavetes (1959)Nick Cassavetes is an acclaimed American film director, screenwriter, and actor known for movies like 'The Notebook' and 'John Q'.
![Josh Hamilton]()
Josh Hamilton (1981)Josh Hamilton was a Major League Baseball player known for his powerful hitting and remarkable comeback story after battling personal...
![Jonathan Hyde]()
Jonathan Hyde (1947)Versatile Australian-English actor known for roles in films like 'Jurassic Park' and 'Titanic', with a significant career in both film and...
![Kay Kendall]()
Kay Kendall (1926)British actress known for her roles in comedies, who tragically died young from leukemia at the age of 32.
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 May 21?
On May 21st the following celebrities died:
![John Gielgud]()
John Gielgud (2000)Renowned British stage and film actor, considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.
![John Garfield]()
John Garfield (1952)Prominent Hollywood actor of the Golden Age, known for his roles in film noir and dramatic movies.
![Vaughn Monroe]()
Vaughn Monroe (1973)Prominent American big band singer, bandleader, and actor who was popular during the 1940s and early 1950s, known for his distinctive...
- Kenneth Clark (1983)
Prominent British art historian, museum director, and influential cultural figure known for his groundbreaking work in art criticism and...
- Niki de Saint Phalle (2002)
Renowned French-American artist known for her large-scale sculptural works, feminist art, and innovative artistic techniques combining...
- Tommaso Campanella (1639)
Italian philosopher and poet known for his utopian work 'The City of the Sun'.
- Barbara Cartland (2000)
Barbara Cartland was a prolific British romance novelist who wrote 723 books, selling over a billion copies worldwide.
- Klaus Mann (1949)
Renowned German writer and intellectual, son of Thomas Mann, known for his novel 'Mephisto' and his complex personal life during the Nazi...
- Rajiv Gandhi (1991)
Rajiv Gandhi was an influential Indian politician who served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989.
What day of the year is May 21?
May 21st marks the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 142nd in case of leap years).
There are 224 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 21st is the 21st day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 21?
On May 21st, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| May | 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 May 21?
The zodiac sign associated with May 21st is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.
