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

October 21st is the day we officially celebrate Count Your Buttons Day and Reptile Awareness Day.

We are now on day 294 out of 365, and only have 71 days remaining in 2026.

This day in years gone by was a very important one in many areas including areas like technology, economy, space and so much more.

Did you know that on this day, October 21, 2001, the United We Stand concert took place? The show was held in memory of victims of the September 11th Attacks and was led by Michael Jackson.

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

Historical Events

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

2021

Alec Baldwin accidentally used a live firearm during a movie rehearsal, during which he shot and killed a cinematographer.

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2019

Major Australian newspapers blacked out their front pages in protest against press restrictions on printing whistleblower stories.

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The oldest natural pearl discovered off the Abu Dhabi coast was estimated to be 8,000 years old.

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2012

Native American Kateri Tekakwitha became the first native to become a saint.

Tekakwitha was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.

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2001

The benefit concert “United We Stand” led by Michael Jackson took place to stand up against terrorism.

Many top artists performed, including Mariah Carey, Al Green, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Goo Goo Dolls, Backstreet Boys, Usher, Pink, NSYNC, and more.

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1990

Apple Day started in Covent Garden, London.

The annual event is a huge celebration of apples with cooking demos, games, juice and cider, and the hundreds of apple varieties on sale.

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1971

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s ITOS-B weather satellite launched atop a Delta rocket.

The satellite was designed to take photos of the Earth's cloud cover using television and infrared cameras to improve weather forecasting. Almost one hour after lifting off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the satellite returned to Earth's atmosphere after failing to reach orbit. The cause was a malfunction in the Delta rocket's second stage.

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1966

The catastrophic Tragedy of Aberfan occurred in South Wales, killing many who were in a local school, mostly children.

A coal waste pile-up created by the National Coal Board overflowed at the top of the village of Aberfan. The overflow flooded a junior school and surrounding buildings, killing 116 children and 28 adults.

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1964

The American musical comedy “My Fair Lady,” starring Audrey Hepburn, was released in the US.

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1915

The first radio message to go across the Atlantic Ocean was sent from Virginia to Paris.

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1803

English chemist John Dalton read his first atomic theory paper to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical society.

Dalton's paper was "On the Absorption of Gases by Water and other Liquids," and it contained Dalton's Law. It's also known as Dalton's law of partial pressures. It is used to prove that the total pressure from a mixture of non-reacting gases is the same as the partial pressures of the individual gases in the mixture, which means that the mixture doesn't increase exerted pressure.

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1789

Following the women’s march on Versailles, The National Assembly declared martial law in France to prevent future uprisings.

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1520

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived at Cape Virgenes, becoming the first European to sail the Pacific Ocean.

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1209

Otto IV was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Innocent III.

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Famous Births

Is today your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Carrie Fisher. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1980

Kim Kardashian

American Socialite

Age

45 years old

Born IN

California, USA

1995

Doja Cat

American Rapper

Age

30 years old

Born IN

California, USA

1956

Carrie Fisher

American Actress

Died On

Dec 27, 2016 (Age 60)

Born IN

California, USA

1988

Glen Powell

American Actor

Age

37 years old

Born IN

Texas, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

If you were born on October 21, your star sign is Libra.

Libras are great listeners, meaning they often pick up on gossip. However, take care when spilling secrets to Libras, as they can be known as gossip queens!

Those of you that were born in October have the Pink Tourmaline birthstone. Tourmaline comes in nearly every shade you could imagine, making it a popular stone in recent years.

For people born on Oct 21, your estimated date of conception falls on January 28 in the same year.

A baby conceived on October 21, 2026, will likely be due next year around July 14.

Quotes

Memorable quotes are being said or written every day. Here we have the most notable quote ever said on this day.

1940

“Mental fight means thinking against the current, not with it.”

Virginia Woolf

(English Writer)

1916

“One must look into hell before one has any right to speak of heaven.”

Bertrand Russell

(British Mathematician)

1769

“Life is bristling with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to cultivate one’s garden.”

Voltaire

(French Writer)

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Well, here's a few special days that might just give you some ideas.

International

Count Your Buttons Day

While this holiday is certainly whimsical, it also celebrates one of fashion’s most convenient inventions. As you go about your day today counting your buttons, reflect on just how handy they are! If you still have some time to spare, why not read up on the history of buttons?

United States

National Reptile Awareness Day

It’s time to raise awareness for one of the more alien-like animals on this planet - reptiles. So, head to your local zoo today and learn more about these cold-blooded creatures. They can actually be pretty fascinating if you give them a chance!

Fact Of The Day

Hawaii’s Mauna Kea is nearly 2,000 meters taller than Mount Everest, but it’s not considered the highest mountain because its base starts below sea level.

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

Days Until

Your countdown to 2026's upcoming special days!

• Halloween

  10 days

• Veterans Day

  21 days

• Thanksgiving

  36 days

• Christmas Day

  65 days

• New Year's Day

  72 days