June 21: Facts & Historical Events On This Day - The Fact Site

June 21st is known as International T-shirt Day and Daylight Appreciation Day.

We’re now on the 172nd day of the year, and have 193 days left in 2026.

This day in history is an important one for the progress of computing, for music and so much more.

Did you know that on this day, June 21, 1898, the US Navy claimed the island of Guam? It had previously been under Spanish control since 1668.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about June 21st in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on June 21 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2021

Carl Nassib became the first openly-gay NFL player to play a regular-season game.

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2020

The guitar that Kurt Cobain used during Nirvana’s 1993 MTV Unplugged in New York show sold for $6 million.

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2006

Two newly discovered moons orbiting Pluto were named Nix and Hydra.

Nix is named after the Greek goddess of darkness and night, who also happens to be the mother of Charon. Hydra, on the other hand, is named after a mythological multi-headed serpent that Hercules defeated. Nix and Hydra were only first spotted by the Hubble Space Telescope in June 2005, partially because their orbits are much further out than Pluto's previously known moon, Charon.

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2003

J.K. Rowling published the 5th Harry Potter book “The Order of the Phoenix.”

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1989

Burning the US flag was deemed legal.

The US supreme court voted 5-4 in favor of making it legal to burn the flag as a means of political speech.

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1982

John Hinckley, who tried to kill President Reagan, was found not guilty on the grounds of insanity.

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1975

The most memorable concert of the decade occurred at Wembley Stadium.

On this day, Elton John and the Beach Boys performed at the sellout event so-called "MidSummer Music."

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1957

Louis St. Laurent resigned as the prime minister of Canada.

His action came after he was losing power, and he knew he wouldn't pass a confidence vote. His run became the longest continuous term as prime minister in Canadian history.

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1948

Manchester Mark I computer became the first stored computer to run a program at a lab at Manchester University, UK.

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1904

Construction on the world’s longest railway in Russia was completed.

Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway connects Moscow with the far Eastern city of Vladivostok. The railway is 5,772 miles (9,289 km) long and crosses eight time zones.

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1898

The US Navy claimed the island of Guam, which was previously under Spanish control.

Because the island of Guam had no notice of the invasion, they had no choice but to surrender immediately and pass the island over to the US.

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1834

Cyrus McCormick patented the reaping machine.

The machine was powered by horses and was used to reap crops during harvesting.

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1798

The British Army defeated Irish rebels at the Battle of Vinegar Hill.

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1791

King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and their immediate family fled their home at the beginning of the French Revolution.

Their unsuccessful escape, known as the Flight to Varennes, ultimately led to their beheadings.

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1788

New Hampshire became the 9th state to join the United States of America.

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1672

A Dutch pensions advisor, Johan de Witt, was severely wounded in a knife attack.

De Witt was not popular with "Orangists," which was the first of many attacks. Eventually, in August 1672, he was shot dead in an organized attack by The Hague's civic militia.

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Famous Births

If today’s your birthday, you share this special day with David Morrissey! Here are other famous people born on this day.

1985

Lana Del Rey

American Singer

Age

40 years old

Born IN

New York, USA

1979

Chris Pratt

American Actor

Age

46 years old

Born IN

Minnesota, USA

1982

Prince William

British Prince

Age

43 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1964

David Morrissey

English Actor

Age

61 years old

Born IN

England, UK

Birthday & Zodiac

Everyone who was born on June 21 shares the same star sign, Cancer.

Cancer is represented by the crab and is the fourth sign in the zodiac. Anyone born between June 21 and July 22 falls into this astrological sign.

Those of you that were born in June have the Alexandrite birthstone. Wearing June’s birthstone in the daytime is believed to bring good luck and fortune. But wearing alexandrite at night is believed to enhance love and feelings of the heart.

People born on this day were likely conceived the previous year on September 28th.

The due date for a baby conceived on June 21st, 2026, is around March 14th, 2027.

Special Holidays

If you can spare some time today, here are some unique holidays you could get involved with.

United States

International T-Shirt Day

The t-shirt is the most common clothing choice worldwide, but they come in a million-and-one different styles, colors, and brands. Today is International T-shirt Day, so celebrate this special day by wearing your favorite tee or shopping for a new one that you’d love to wear.

United States

National Daylight Appreciation Day

Daylight Appreciation Day is all about celebrating how fantastic daylight really is. We celebrate it today as it is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. So make the most of today by going for a picnic, taking a long walk in the woods, or by heading to the beach!

Fact Of The Day

Research suggests that women tend to be better at distinguishing colors, while men often excel at tracking fast-moving objects and recognizing details from a distance.

Check out our daily facts page for fresh, random facts updated every day!

Days Until

Your countdown to 2026's upcoming special days!

• Independence Day

  13 days

• Halloween

  132 days

• Christmas Day

  187 days