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
February 21 Saturday, February 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 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
2022
World history 4 years ago
In the prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin declares the Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic as independent from Ukraine, and moves troops into the region. The action is condemned by the United Nations.
Vladimir Putin recognizes the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics as independent states and deploys Russian forces into eastern Ukraine, drawing international condemnation.
History
What happened on February 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1245Religion
Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after confessing to torture and forgery.
Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, resigns after confessing to torture and forgery.
- 1440European history
The Prussian Confederation is formed.
Prussian nobles and cities unite to form the Prussian Confederation in opposition to the Teutonic Order's increasing taxation and authoritarian rule.
- 1613World history
Mikhail I is unanimously elected Tsar by a national assembly, beginning the Romanov dynasty of Imperial Russia.
Mikhail I is elected Tsar by a national assembly, establishing the Romanov dynasty in Imperial Russia.
- 1797UK history
A force of 1,400 French soldiers invade Britain at Fishguard in support of the Society of United Irishmen. They were defeated by 500 British reservists.
A force of 1,400 French soldiers invades Britain at Fishguard but is defeated by 500 British reservists.
- 1848Politics
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish The Communist Manifesto.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish "The Communist Manifesto," outlining their communist ideology.
- 1885US history
The newly completed Washington Monument is dedicated.
President James Buchanan and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney attend the dedication of the partially completed Washington Monument in Washington D.C.
- 1958World history
The CND symbol, aka peace symbol, commissioned by the Direct Action Committee in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, is designed and completed by Gerald Holtom.
Gerald Holtom designs the CND symbol for a protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment.
- 1973Disaster
Over the Sinai Desert, Israeli fighter aircraft shoot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 jet killing 108 people.
Israeli fighter aircraft shot down a Libyan Arab Airlines flight over the Sinai Desert, killing 108 people.
- 1994Politics
Aldrich Ames is arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for selling national secrets to the Soviet Union in Arlington County, Virginia.
Aldrich Ames is arrested for selling U.S. secrets to the Soviet Union in Arlington County, Virginia.
- 1995Sports
Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.
Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, becoming the first person to complete a solo trans-Pacific balloon flight.
- 2013Disaster
At least 17 people are killed and 119 injured following several bombings in the Indian city of Hyderabad.
Several bombings in Hyderabad leave at least 17 dead and 119 injured.
- 2022World history
In the prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin declares the Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic as independent from Ukraine, and moves troops into the region. The action is condemned by the United Nations.
Vladimir Putin recognizes the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics as independent states and deploys Russian forces into eastern Ukraine, drawing international condemnation.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 21
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 37
Jake Muzzin
Canadian ice hockey player
Jake Muzzin, a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs, turns 37 today.
Born
1989
Turns 37
today
Goscombe John
Welsh-English sculptor and academic
1860 – 1952
Claudia Jones
Trinidad-British journalist and activist
1915 – 1964
Bob Rafelson
American film director, producer, and screenwriter
1933 – 2022
Margarethe von Trotta
German actress, director, and screenwriter
b. 1942 · 84
Bob Ryan
American journalist and author
b. 1946 · 80
Braylon Edwards
American football player
b. 1983 · 43
Music
The number one songs on February 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 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 February 21, 1995
Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.
Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, becoming the first person to complete a solo trans-Pacific balloon flight.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 21, 1947
In New York City, Edwin Land demonstrates the first "instant camera", the Polaroid Land Camera, to a meeting of the Optical Society of America.
Edwin Land demonstrates the first instant camera, the Polaroid Land Camera, to an audience at the Optical Society of America.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (South Africa)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Birthday of King Harald V (Norway)
International
Harald V is King of Norway, having reigned since 17 January 1991
Father Lini Day (Vanuatu)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Vanuatu
Language Movement Day (Bangladesh)
International
The Language Movement Day, officially called Language Martyrs' Day, is a national holiday of Bangladesh taking place on 21 February each year and commemorating the Bengali language movement and its ma
International Mother Language Day (UNESCO)
International
International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism
The first day of the Birth Anniversary of Fifth Druk Gyalpo, celebrated until February 23. (Bhutan)
International
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals or tshechus