Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
April 21 Tuesday, April 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 21 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
7
Holidays
900
World history 1126 years ago
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (the earliest known written document found in what is now the Philippines): the Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom of Tondo, as represented by the Honourable Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, pardons from all debt the Honourable Namwaran and his relations.
Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, grants a debt pardon to Namwaran and his kin on behalf of the Kingdom of Tondo's Commander-in-Chief.
History
What happened on April 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -753World history
Romulus founds Rome (traditional date).
Romulus establishes Rome, according to legend.
- -43World history
Battle of Mutina: Mark Antony is again defeated in battle by Aulus Hirtius, who is killed. Antony fails to capture Mutina and Decimus Brutus is murdered shortly after.
Mark Antony suffers another defeat at the Battle of Mutina, failing to seize Mutina and leading to the death of Aulus Hirtius and Decimus Brutus.
- 900World history
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (the earliest known written document found in what is now the Philippines): the Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom of Tondo, as represented by the Honourable Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, pardons from all debt the Honourable Namwaran and his relations.
Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, grants a debt pardon to Namwaran and his kin on behalf of the Kingdom of Tondo's Commander-in-Chief.
- 1092Religion
The Diocese of Pisa is elevated to the rank of metropolitan archdiocese by Pope Urban II.
Pope Urban II elevates the Diocese of Pisa to a metropolitan archdiocese.
- 1506European history
The three-day Lisbon Massacre comes to an end with the slaughter of over 1,900 suspected Jews by Portuguese Catholics.
The Lisbon Massacre ends with the killing of more than 1,900 people suspected of being Jewish by Portuguese Catholics.
- 1509UK history
Henry VIII ascends the throne of England on the death of his father, Henry VII.
Henry VIII becomes king of England upon his father Henry VII's death.
- 1615European history
The Wignacourt Aqueduct is inaugurated in Malta.
The Wignacourt Aqueduct is inaugurated in Malta, providing fresh water to the island's inhabitants.
- 1782World history
The city of Rattanakosin, now known internationally as Bangkok, is founded on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.
King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke founds Rattanakosin on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, establishing what is now known internationally as Bangkok.
- 1789US history
John Adams sworn in as first US Vice President (nine days before George Washington).
John Adams is sworn in as the first Vice President of the United States.
- 1806War
Action of 21 April 1806: A French frigate escapes British forces off the coast of South Africa.
The French frigate Canonnière outmaneuvers a British squadron in the waters off South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
- 1836US history
Texas Revolution: The Battle of San Jacinto: Republic of Texas forces under Sam Houston defeat troops under Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
Sam Houston's Texas forces defeat Mexican troops led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.
- 1958Disaster
United Air Lines Flight 736 collides with a United States Air Force fighter jet near Arden, Nevada in what is now Enterprise, Nevada.
United Air Lines Flight 736 collides with a U.S. Air Force F-100 Super Sabre over Nevada, killing all 47 passengers and crew aboard the airliner.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 21
7 this date All birthdays
Norman Parkinson
English photographer
Norman Parkinson, the English portrait and fashion photographer who revolutionized British fashion photography by moving his subjects outdoors, was born today in 1913.
Born
1913
Died
1990
Joe McCarthy
American baseball manager
1887 – 1978
John Brumby
Australian politician, 45th Premier of Victoria
b. 1953 · 73
Mike Wingfield
South African academic and scientist
b. 1954 · 72
Michael Zarnock
American author
b. 1958 · 68
Toby Stephens
English actor
b. 1969 · 57
Petero Civoniceva
Fijian-Australian rugby league player
b. 1976 · 50
Music
The number one songs on April 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 21, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 21, 1982
Baseball: Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to record 300 saves.
Rollie Fingers achieves 300 career saves, becoming the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach this milestone.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 21, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Natale di Roma (Rome)
International
Natale di Roma is an annual festival held in Rome on April 21 to celebrate the legendary founding of the city
Parilia (ancient Rome)
International
The Parilia or Palilia was an ancient Roman festival of rural character performed annually on 21 April, aimed at cleansing both sheep and shepherd
Civil Service Day (India)
International
In India, the Civil Service is the collection of civil servants of the government who constitute the permanent executive branch of the country
Grounation Day (Rastafari)
International
Grounation Day is the most important Rastafari holiday; it is celebrated in honor of Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica
National Tea Day (United Kingdom)
International
National Tea Day is observed in the United Kingdom every year on 21 April to celebrate the drinking of tea
National Tree Planting Day (Kenya)
International
Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees
❝
The camera can be the most deadly weapon since the assassin's bullet. Or it can be the lotion of the heart.
— Norman Parkinson · born April 21, 1913