October 21: What Happened on This Day in History
October 21st marks the 294th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 295th in case of leap years). There are 71 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on October 21st in history, famous birthdays on October 21st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to October 21.
What happened on October 21?
Here's what happened on October 21st in history:
- 2022: A tragic apartment block fire in Hartland, Wisconsin resulted in six fatalities. Local law enforcement has initiated an active criminal investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.
- 2017: On October 14, 2017, Somalia experienced its worst terrorist attack in history, with the death toll rising to 358, making it the fifth deadliest terror attack globally.
- 2016: During the Iraqi Civil War (2014-2017), ISIL militants launched a coordinated assault on government buildings, police stations, and a power plant in Kirkuk, Iraqi Kurdistan. The attack resulted in hundreds of casualties and significant infrastructure damage.
- 2012: Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and shots to prevent protesters from breaching Prime Minister Mikati's government offices following the car bomb assassination of intelligence chief Wissam al Hassan. The incident highlighted the volatile political tensions in Lebanon.
- 2009: The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the 2009 National League Championship Series by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 1, with a decisive 10-4 victory in the final game.
- 2005: A rare Series 1890 $1,000 US Treasury note, nicknamed the 'Grand Watermelon' note, was sold by Lyn Knight for a record-breaking price of $1,092,500, highlighting the significant value of numismatic collectibles.
- 2003: Elliott Smith, an influential American indie rock musician and singer-songwriter, passed away at the age of 34. Known for his introspective lyrics and delicate acoustic style, Smith was a critically acclaimed artist who gained widespread recognition after his Oscar-nominated song 'Miss Misery' from the film Good Will Hunting.
- 1980: The theatrical production 'Banjo Dancing' opened at the Century Theater in New York City, running for 38 performances.
- 1979: Prominent Israeli politician and former Defense Minister Moshe Dayan resigns from his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs, signaling potential political tensions within the Israeli government.
- 1974: Professional golfer Sandra Palmer secured victory at the Cubic Corp Golf Classic, advancing her career in women's professional golf.
What famous birthdays are on October 21?
On October 21st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Carrie Fisher]()
Carrie Fisher (1956)Iconic American actress, writer, and mental health advocate best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise.
![Shammi Kapoor]()
Shammi Kapoor (1931)Legendary Indian actor and filmmaker known as the 'Elvis of Bollywood', who revolutionized dance and style in Hindi cinema during the 1950s...
![Ken Watanabe]()
Ken Watanabe (1959)Ken Watanabe is a renowned Japanese actor famous for his powerful performances in international films like 'The Last Samurai' and...
![Louis Koo]()
Louis Koo (1970)Louis Koo is a prominent Hong Kong actor and singer, widely recognized for his versatile performances in action films and television dramas...
![Aaron Tveit]()
Aaron Tveit (1983)Broadway and television actor known for roles in 'Catch Me If You Can' and TV series 'Graceland' and 'Rent: Live'.
![Patti Davis]()
Patti Davis (1952)Daughter of President Ronald Reagan, Patti Davis is an American writer, actress, and activist known for her complex relationship with her...
![Leonard Rossiter]()
Leonard Rossiter (1926)British comedy actor known for roles in sitcoms like 'Rising Damp' and 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'.
![Glen Powell]()
Glen Powell (1988)Glen Powell is an American actor known for his roles in popular TV shows and movies like 'Scream Queens', 'Top Gun: Maverick', and...
![Mandy Rice-Davies]()
Mandy Rice-Davies (1944)Famous English model and actress known for her role in the Profumo affair, a major political scandal in 1960s Britain that exposed sexual...
![Charlotte Sullivan]()
Charlotte Sullivan (1983)Canadian actress known for roles in TV series 'Rookie Blue' and 'Mary Kills People'.
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 October 21?
On October 21st the following celebrities died:
![Maxene Andrews]()
Maxene Andrews (1995)Maxene Andrews was a renowned soprano singer and key member of the Andrews Sisters, a legendary close harmony group that defined the swing...
![Marie McDonald]()
- Jack Kerouac (1969)
Iconic Beat Generation writer who revolutionized American literature with spontaneous prose style.
- Bobby Charlton (2023)
Legendary English footballer who was a key member of the 1966 World Cup-winning England national team and Manchester United icon.
- Ben Bradlee (2014)
Ben Bradlee was a legendary American journalist who served as executive editor of The Washington Post during the pivotal Watergate scandal.
- Elliott Smith (2003)
Elliott Smith was an influential indie rock singer-songwriter who gained critical acclaim for his deeply personal and melancholic music,...
- Isabelle Eberhardt (1904)
A swiss aristocrat, the illegitimate child of nathalie charlotte dorothee elberhardt, a woman from moscow of private means.
- Gough Whitlam (2014)
Prominent Australian politician who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975, known for significant progressive...
What day of the year is October 21?
October 21st marks the 294th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 295th in case of leap years).
There are 71 days remaining until the end of the year.
October 21st is the 21st day of the month of October.
What day of the week is October 21?
On October 21st, 2025 the day of the week is Tuesday.
| October | 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 October 21?
The zodiac sign associated with October 21st is Libra according to the Western Zodiac.
