Major Events of June 1921: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from June 1921 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of June 1921: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jun 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921: A devastating racial massacre occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where white mobs attacked the prosperous African-American neighborhood of Greenwood, known as 'Black Wall Street'. The violent riot resulted in widespread destruction of the Black community's property, businesses, and homes. While official records initially reported 39 deaths, later investigations by the Oklahoma State Legislature's commission in 1997 suggested the actual death toll could range between 150-300 African Americans.
02 Jun 1921 Paris Selected to Host 1924 Summer Olympics: In a significant decision, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to award the 1924 Summer Olympic Games to Paris, France. During the selection process, the committee considered several competing cities including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Prague, and Rome. Paris ultimately emerged as the preferred host, marking a notable moment in Olympic history and reflecting the city's cultural and sporting prominence in the early 20th century.
03 Jun 1921 Lord Byng Becomes Governor-General of Canada: Lord Byng was officially appointed as the new Governor-General of Canada, succeeding the Duke of Devonshire. This appointment marked an important moment in Canadian colonial governance, representing the continued British influence in the Canadian political landscape during the early 20th century.
05 Jun 1921 Inaugural Session of Northern Ireland Parliament: The Parliament of Northern Ireland commenced operations in Belfast, marking a significant moment in the region's political history. Of the 52 total seats, 40 were filled by Unionists who took the oath of loyalty to the British crown. The remaining 12 seats remained vacant, as Sinn Fein and Irish nationalist representatives refused to take the loyalty oath, symbolizing the deep political divisions of the time.
06 Jun 1921 Harding's Remarks on Tulsa Race Massacre: President Warren G. Harding addressed the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, acknowledging the racial violence as an 'unhappy and distressing spectacle'. In his remarks at Lincoln University, he candidly discussed the challenges of racial progress, stating that no government could instantly transform a population from historical bondage to full citizenship.
07 Jun 1921 Uneventful Day in 1921: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for June 7, 1921, this date falls within the interwar period between World War I and World War II. During this time, many countries were experiencing political, economic, and social transformations in the aftermath of the Great War.
08 Jun 1921 Suharto Becomes President of Indonesia: Suharto assumes the presidency of Indonesia, a position he would hold until 1998. He was a significant political figure who led Indonesia through a period of economic development and controversial authoritarian rule.
09 Jun 1921 Birth of Forrest Bird, Pioneering Biomedical Engineer: Forrest Bird was born on June 9, 1921, in Stoughton, Massachusetts. He was an extraordinary biomedical engineer and inventor who revolutionized respiratory care. Bird invented several critical medical devices, most notably the Bird Respirator, which saved countless lives during the polio epidemic and became a standard in intensive care units worldwide. He was also a decorated World War II pilot and received numerous awards for his medical innovations.
10 Jun 1921 Budget and Accounting Act Signed: President Warren G. Harding signed the Budget and Accounting Act, establishing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), significantly reforming federal financial management and oversight.
11 Jun 1921 Greek King Leads Troops in Greco-Turkish War: King Constantine I of Greece personally departed Athens to lead troops in the ongoing war against Turkey, specifically to defend the strategic city of Smyrna (now İzmir).
12 Jun 1921 Tukhachevsky's Chemical Warfare in Tambov Rebellion: Soviet military leader Mikhail Tukhachevsky deployed chemical weapons to suppress the Tambov Peasant Rebellion, a significant and brutal moment in the Russian Civil War that effectively crushed peasant resistance against Bolshevik rule.
13 Jun 1921 Babe Ruth's Two-Home Run Performance Against Detroit Tigers: On June 13, 1921, New York Yankees pitcher Babe Ruth demonstrated his exceptional batting skills by hitting two home runs in a thrilling 11-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers. This performance further solidified Ruth's emerging reputation as not just a talented pitcher, but a formidable power hitter who would revolutionize baseball.
14 Jun 1921 British Columbia Alcohol Sales Legalized: In British Columbia, Canada, the legal sale of alcohol was officially reinstated following the end of prohibition, which had been implemented during World War I. This marked a significant shift in the province's social and economic policies, reflecting the changing attitudes towards alcohol consumption in the post-war era.
15 Jun 1921 Bessie Coleman Breaks Aviation Barriers: Bessie Coleman earns her pilot's license in France, becoming the first African-American woman and first Native American woman to hold a pilot's license. Her groundbreaking achievement came after facing significant racial and gender discrimination in the United States, forcing her to learn French and travel to Europe to pursue her aviation dreams.
16 Jun 1921 Creation of Undersecretary of the Treasury Position: On June 16, 1921, the United States Congress established the official position of Undersecretary of the Treasury, expanding the leadership structure of this critical federal financial department. This administrative reform aimed to enhance the management and oversight of the nation's financial operations during a period of significant economic transformation in the early 20th century.
17 Jun 1921 Greenwood Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma: The Greenwood massacre in the predominantly African-American Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma was brought under control after a devastating racial conflict that resulted in 21 African-Americans and nine White residents being killed. The city was placed under martial law to restore order and prevent further violence.
18 Jun 1921 First British Reconnaissance Expedition to Mount Everest: On June 18, 1921, the first British reconnaissance expedition to Mount Everest was launched, representing a groundbreaking moment in mountaineering history. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Howard-Bury, this expedition was the initial organized attempt to systematically explore and map the potential routes to the summit of the world's highest peak. The team, comprised of skilled British mountaineers and geographers, sought to gather critical geographical and logistical information about the mountain's terrain, climate, and potential climbing routes. This expedition was crucial in laying the groundwork for future successful summit attempts, including the legendary expeditions of the 1920s and 1930s.
19 Jun 1921 Burning of Knockcroghery Village: British forces burned the village of Knockcroghery in Ireland, an act of violence during the Irish War of Independence.
20 Jun 1921 Buckingham and Carnatic Mills Labor Strike: Workers at the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills in Chennai, India, initiated a significant four-month labor strike, highlighting labor tensions and workers' rights in early 20th-century industrial settings.
21 Jun 1921 Formation of the British Commonwealth of Nations: A pivotal moment in British imperial history, the British Commonwealth of Nations was officially established, formally recognizing the evolving relationship between the United Kingdom, its Dominions, and India. This marked a significant transition from direct colonial control to a more collaborative international association.
22 Jun 1921 First Parliament of Northern Ireland Convenes in Belfast: The inaugural Parliament of Northern Ireland was formally opened at Belfast City Hall by King George V. In a significant speech, the King emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation, marking a pivotal moment in the political development of Northern Ireland following the partition of Ireland. This event represented a crucial step in the region's governance and political self-determination.
23 Jun 1921 British R38 Dirigible Catastrophic Failure: On June 23, 1921, the British rigid airship R38 (also known as ZR-2) suffered a catastrophic structural failure while conducting a test flight over the North Sea near Hull, England. The airship dramatically broke in half mid-flight, causing a massive explosion that resulted in the tragic deaths of 48 crew members, including both British and American personnel. This devastating incident was one of the most significant aviation disasters of the early 20th century, highlighting the inherent risks and engineering challenges of lighter-than-air technology during the pioneering era of aerial transportation.
24 Jun 1921 First British R38-Class Airship Maiden Voyage: The R38-class airship, the largest airship constructed by Britain at that time, successfully completed its inaugural flight from the Royal Airship Works in Cardington, Bedfordshire. This milestone represented a significant advancement in British lighter-than-air aviation technology during the early 1920s.
25 Jun 1921 Jack Hutchinson Wins British Open Golf Championship: Jack Hutchinson made history by becoming the first American golfer to win the prestigious British Open golf tournament at St. Andrews, Scotland. His victory was a significant milestone in international golf, demonstrating the growing prowess of American golfers on the global stage.
26 Jun 1921 Resolution of the Upper Silesian Dispute: The Upper Silesian dispute between Germany and Poland was diplomatically resolved through an international agreement signed by General Charles Henniker-Major, effectively delineating territorial boundaries and mitigating potential regional tensions following World War I. This resolution was crucial in establishing peaceful relations between the two nations and preventing further conflict over the strategically important industrial region.
27 Jun 1921 Giovanni Giolitti Resigns as Italian Prime Minister: On June 27, 1921, Giovanni Giolitti, a prominent Italian statesman, resigned as Prime Minister of Italy following a narrow and contentious confidence vote in the parliament. This resignation marked a significant moment in the tumultuous political landscape of post-World War I Italy, which was characterized by rising tensions between liberal democratic forces and emerging fascist movements.
28 Jun 1921 Vidovdan Constitution Proclaimed by King Alexander I: On June 28, 1921, Serbian King Alexander I officially proclaimed a new constitution for the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. This significant political document established the constitutional framework for the young multi-ethnic state, marking a pivotal moment in the region's political development. The constitution was named 'Vidovdan' after St. Vitus Day, a historically important date in Serbian culture.
29 Jun 1921 Dissolution of German Paramilitary Einwohnerwehr: On June 29, 1921, the German government officially disbanded the Einwohnerwehr (Citizens' Defense), a paramilitary organization, following direct pressure from Allied powers in the aftermath of World War I. This action was part of the broader demilitarization efforts mandated by the Treaty of Versailles to prevent potential future military uprisings in Germany.
30 Jun 1921 Sweden Abolishes Death Penalty: Sweden became one of the early progressive nations to abolish capital punishment on June 30, 1921, reflecting a growing humanitarian approach to criminal justice and human rights.