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
August 21 Friday, August 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 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
3
Holidays
1963
Politics 63 years ago
Xá Lợi Pagoda raids: The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces loyal to Ngô Đình Nhu, brother of President Ngo Dinh Diem, vandalizes Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands and leaving an estimated hundreds dead.
South Vietnamese Special Forces loyal to President Ngô Đình Diệm's brother raid Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands of monks and civilians.
History
What happened on August 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 959Religion
Eraclus becomes the 25th bishop of Liège.
Eraclus is appointed as the 25th bishop of Liège.
- 1140War
Song dynasty general Yue Fei defeats an army led by Jin dynasty general Wuzhu at the Battle of Yancheng during the Jin-Song Wars.
Yue Fei defeats Wuzhu's forces in the Battle of Yancheng, a key victory for the Song dynasty against the Jin.
- 1169War
Battle of the Blacks: Uprising by the black African forces of the Fatimid army, along with a number of Egyptian emirs and commoners, against Saladin.
Black African soldiers in the Fatimid army join Egyptian emirs and commoners to rebel against Saladin's rule.
- 1331Royalty
King Stefan Uroš III, after months of anarchy, surrenders to his son and rival Stefan Dušan, who succeeds as King of Serbia.
Stefan Dušan becomes king of Serbia after his father, Stefan Uroš III, surrenders to him.
- 1415European history
Henry the Navigator leads Portuguese forces to victory over the Marinids at the Conquest of Ceuta.
Henry the Navigator leads Portuguese forces to victory over the Marinids at Ceuta, establishing Portugal's first foothold in North Africa.
- 1680US history
Pueblo Indians capture Santa Fe from the Spanish during the Pueblo Revolt.
Pueblo Indians seize control of Santa Fe, marking a significant victory in the Pueblo Revolt.
- 1689UK history
The Battle of Dunkeld in Scotland.
Government troops defeat Jacobite rebels in the Battle of Dunkeld, preserving government control in Perthshire.
- 1778War
American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost at Pondichéry.
British forces commence a siege of the French outpost at Pondichéry in India, opening a theater of the American Revolutionary War in South Asia.
- 1791World history
Enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue, led by Dutty Boukman, held a Vodou ceremony that became a pivotal act of resistance. This gathering sparked a mass uprising against slavery, marking the beginning of the Haitian Revolution.
Dutty Boukman led a Vodou ceremony in Saint-Domingue, sparking a rebellion that marked the start of the Haitian Revolution.
- 1878Politics
The American Bar Association is founded in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The American Bar Association is established to improve legal education and set professional standards for lawyers.
- 1883Disaster
An F5 tornado strikes Rochester, Minnesota, leading to the creation of the Mayo Clinic.
A devastating F5 tornado in Rochester leads to the establishment of the Mayo Clinic.
- 1963Politics
Xá Lợi Pagoda raids: The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces loyal to Ngô Đình Nhu, brother of President Ngo Dinh Diem, vandalizes Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands and leaving an estimated hundreds dead.
South Vietnamese Special Forces loyal to President Ngô Đình Diệm's brother raid Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands of monks and civilians.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 21
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 51
Alicia Witt
American actress and musician
Alicia Witt, the actress and musician discovered by David Lynch and cast in Dune and Twin Peaks as a child, turns 51 today.
Born
1975
Turns 51
today
James FitzJames
1st Duke of Berwick, French general and politician, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire
1670 – 1734
Emiliano Mercado del Toro
Puerto Rican-American soldier
1891 – 2007
Toe Blake
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
1912 – 1995
Peter Weir
Australian director, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1944 · 82
John Korfas
Greek-American basketball player and coach
b. 1962 · 64
Carrie-Anne Moss
Canadian actress
b. 1967 · 59
Music
The number one songs on August 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 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 August 21, 2000
American golfer Tiger Woods wins the 82nd PGA Championship and becomes the first golfer since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in a calendar year.
Tiger Woods wins the PGA Championship, becoming the first player since Ben Hogan to win three majors in a single year.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 21, 2017
A solar eclipse traverses the continental United States.
A total solar eclipse crosses the entire continental United States, drawing millions of viewers along its path.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Ninoy Aquino Day (Philippines)
International
Ninoy Aquino Day is a national non-working holiday in the Philippines observed annually on August 21 commemorating the assassination of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr
Youth Day (Morocco)
International
Youth Day or National Youth Day is a commemorative holiday in honour of young people, celebrated in different parts of the world on various dates throughout the year
World Senior Citizen's Day
International
The National Senior Citizens Day is celebrated on 21 August each year