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
October 21 Wednesday, October 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 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
8
Holidays
1774
US history 252 years ago
The flag of Taunton, Massachusetts is the first to include the word "Liberty".
Taunton, Massachusetts adopts a flag featuring the word "Liberty," becoming the first in the American colonies to do so.
History
What happened on October 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 310Religion
Sixty-five days after being exiled by the Emperor Maxentius to Sicily, Pope Eusebius dies.
Pope Eusebius dies sixty-five days after being exiled to Sicily by Emperor Maxentius.
- 685Religion
Election of Pope Conon following the death of Pope John V.
Pope Conon is elected to succeed Pope John V.
- 1096War
A Seljuk Turkish army successfully ambushes the People's Crusade at the Battle of Civetot.
A Seljuk Turkish army defeats the People's Crusade in an ambush at the Battle of Civetot.
- 1097War
First Crusade: Crusaders led by Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemund of Taranto, and Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, begin the Siege of Antioch.
Crusaders led by Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemund of Taranto, and Raymond IV besiege Antioch in their quest to reclaim Jerusalem.
- 1139War
Zengi, atabeg of Aleppo, takes Baalbek from the Burid dynasty.
Zengi captures Baalbek from the Burid dynasty, expanding his control in the region.
- 1187Religion
Election of Gregory VIII following the death of Pope Urban III.
Gregory VIII is elected pope following the death of Urban III.
- 1392World history
Japanese Emperor Go-Kameyama abdicates in favor of rival claimant Go-Komatsu.
Japanese Emperor Go-Kameyama abdicates, ending the 57-year split between the Northern and Southern Courts and reunifying the imperial throne under Go-Komatsu.
- 1512Religion
Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
Martin Luther begins teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg.
- 1520World history
João Álvares Fagundes discovers the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, bestowing them their original name of "Islands of the 11,000 Virgins".
Portuguese explorer João Álvares Fagundes discovers and names the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon the "Islands of the 11,000 Virgins."
- 1600Japanese history
Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats the leaders of rival Japanese clans in the Battle of Sekigahara and becomes shōgun of Japan.
Tokugawa Ieyasu emerges victorious at the Battle of Sekigahara, establishing his rule as shōgun over Japan.
- 1774US history
The flag of Taunton, Massachusetts is the first to include the word "Liberty".
Taunton, Massachusetts adopts a flag featuring the word "Liberty," becoming the first in the American colonies to do so.
- 1805War
Napoleonic Wars: A British fleet led by Lord Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet under Admiral Villeneuve in the Battle of Trafalgar.
Lord Nelson leads a British fleet to victory over a French-Spanish alliance at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 21
7 this date All birthdays
Music
The number one songs on October 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 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 October 21, 1984
Niki Lauda claims his third and final Formula One Drivers' Championship Title by half a point ahead of McLaren team-mate Alain Prost at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Niki Lauda wins his third and final Formula One title by half a point over teammate Alain Prost in Portugal.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 21, 2003
Images of the dwarf planet Eris are taken and subsequently used in documenting its discovery.
Images of the dwarf planet Eris are captured, leading to its official documentation.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Honduras)
International
Public holidays in Honduras are primarily centered on Christianity and the commemoration of significant events in Honduran history
Egyptian Naval Day (Egypt)
International
Public holidays are celebrated by the entire population of Egypt
Indian Police Commemoration Day (India)
International
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a central armed police force in India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs
National Nurses' Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
Ndadaye Day (Burundi)
International
Melchior Ndadaye was a Burundian banker and politician who became the first democratically elected and first Hutu president of Burundi after winning the landmark 1993 election
Overseas Chinese Day (Republic of China)
International
The following are considered holidays in Taiwan