in World & History

May 21: Fun Facts about Today in History

by James updated April 14, 2022, 3:02 am

Today in History

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Learn about the most intriguing events and historical facts that occurred on May 21 throughout history. The 141st day of the Gregorian calendar is May 21st. On this day, Montenegrins voted in favour of independence from Serbia; Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi was assassinated in Madras by a female suicide bomber; and the Ulster Volunteer Force began war in Northern Ireland on the Irish Republican Army.

Gemini is the zodiac sign for May 21. Notorious Big and Mr. T are two well-known May 21st birthday celebrants. National Waiters and Waitresses Day is observed today.

Event
(May 21, 1927) On this day in 1927, American aviator Charles Lindbergh flew the first nonstop solo flight over the Atlantic Ocean, taking the monoplane Spirit of Saint Louis from New York to Paris in roughly 33.5 hours.
Advertisements (May 21, 1932) Amelia Earhart, an American aviator, was the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean.
(May 21, 1972) In St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Michelangelo's Pietà, a sculpture showing the Virgin Mary supporting the corpse of the slain Christ, was attacked and seriously damaged.
(May 21, 1991) In a suicide bombing strike, Indian politician Rajiv Gandhi, who served as the country's prime minister from 1984 to 1989, was assassinated.
(May 21, 2000) Dame Barbara Cartland, a British author who wrote over 700 books, primarily formulaic romantic love stories set in the nineteenth century, died.
Advertisements (May 21, 2017) The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus gave its farewell performance after years of falling attendance, owing in part to animal rights demonstrations.
(Died on May 21, 2020) Alan Merten, fifth President of George Mason University (b. 1941).

Written by James

James has always been intrigued by dinosaurs, the universe, technology, and animals. With a Bachelor of Computer Science and years of writing expertise, he joined World Amazing Facts in 2021 as a staff writer.

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