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
November 21 Saturday, November 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 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
2
Holidays
1783
Technology 243 years ago
In Paris, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes make the first untethered hot air balloon flight.
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes complete the first untethered hot air balloon flight, soaring over Paris for 25 minutes.
History
What happened on November 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -164Religion
Judas Maccabeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family, rededicates the Temple in Jerusalem, an event that is commemorated each year by the festival of Hanukkah. (25 Kislev 3597 in the Hebrew calendar.)
Judas Maccabeus rededicates the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt, establishing the festival of Hanukkah.
- 235Religion
Pope Anterus succeeds Pontian as the nineteenth pope.
Pope Anterus succeeds Pontian as the nineteenth pope.
- 1386War
Timur of Samarkand captures and sacks the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, taking King Bagrat V of Georgia captive.
Timur captures Tbilisi, sacking the city and taking King Bagrat V captive.
- 1620US history
Plymouth Colony settlers sign the Mayflower Compact (November 11, O.S.)
The Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower establish a framework of self-governance by signing the Mayflower Compact.
- 1676Science
The Danish astronomer Ole Rømer presents the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light.
Ole Rømer presents the first measurement of the speed of light, a groundbreaking discovery in astronomy.
- 1783Technology
In Paris, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes make the first untethered hot air balloon flight.
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes complete the first untethered hot air balloon flight, soaring over Paris for 25 minutes.
- 1789US history
North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and is admitted as the 12th U.S. state.
North Carolina becomes the 12th U.S. state after ratifying the Constitution.
- 1861US history
American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin Secretary of War.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin as Secretary of War, making him the first Jewish cabinet member in North American history.
- 1877Technology
Thomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph, a machine that can record and play sound.
Thomas Edison invents the phonograph, a device capable of recording and playing back sound.
- 1942US history
The completion of the Alaska Highway (also known as the Alcan Highway) is celebrated (however, the highway is not usable by standard road vehicles until 1943).
The Alaska Highway is completed but remains inaccessible to standard vehicles until 1943.
- 1967Vietnam War
Vietnam War: American General William Westmoreland tells news reporters: "I am absolutely certain that whereas in 1965 the enemy was winning, today he is certainly losing."
General William Westmoreland declares that the United States is now winning the Vietnam War, reversing the status from 1965.
- 2013Politics
Massive protests start in Ukraine after President Viktor Yanukovych suspended signing the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement.
Protests begin in Ukraine following President Viktor Yanukovych's suspension of a deal with the European Union.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 21
7 this date All birthdays
Coleman Hawkins
American saxophonist and clarinet player
Coleman Hawkins, the pioneering jazz tenor saxophonist who established the instrument as a legitimate voice in jazz, was born in 1904.
Born
1904
Died
1969
Friedrich Schleiermacher
German theologian, philosopher, and scholar
1768 – 1834
Mollie Steimer
Russian-American activist
1897 – 1980
Eleanor Powell
American actress and dancer
1912 – 1982
Lewis Binford
American archaeologist and academic
1931 – 2011
Peter Koppes
Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist
b. 1955 · 71
Justin Langer
Australian cricketer and coach
b. 1970 · 56
Music
The number one songs on November 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 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 November 21, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science November 21, 1969
The first permanent ARPANET link is established between UCLA and SRI.
UCLA establishes the first permanent connection to SRI for the ARPANET, marking the beginning of modern computer networking.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)
International
Armed Forces Day is annually observed in Bangladesh on 21 November, signifying formation of Bangladesh Armed Forces on the day in 1971, when the members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force were
World Television Day (United Nations observance)
International
In December 1996 the United Nations proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996