On This Day in History – January 21

Major Events

• 1525 – The Swiss Anabaptist movement is founded in Zürich, marking a major development in the Protestant Reformation.
• 1793 – King Louis XVI of France is executed by guillotine during the French Revolution, permanently ending the French monarchy.
• 1899 – American physician Emil Berliner patents the gramophone, helping advance recorded sound technology.
• 1908 – New York City passes its first traffic regulations, introducing modern traffic control.
• 1924 – Vladimir Lenin dies, leading to a power struggle that eventually elevates Joseph Stalin.
• 1950 – Alger Hiss is convicted of perjury in a highly controversial Cold War-era trial.
• 1968 – A U.S. B-52 bomber crashes near Thule Air Base in Greenland, spreading radioactive contamination.
• 1976 – The Concorde supersonic jet begins regular commercial service.
• 1997 – Newt Gingrich becomes the first U.S. House Speaker fined for ethics violations.
• 2017 – Millions participate worldwide in the Women’s March advocating for civil rights and equality.

Famous Birthdays

• 1568 – Saint Agnes of Rome, Christian martyr (traditional date)
• 1824 – Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, Confederate general (d. 1863)
• 1905 – Christian Dior, French fashion designer (d. 1957)
• 1925 – Benny Hill, English comedian (d. 1992)
• 1938 – Wolfman Jack, American radio personality (d. 1995)
• 1941 – Plácido Domingo, Spanish opera singer
• 1954 – Geena Davis, American actress
• 1956 – Rob Zombie, American musician and filmmaker
• 1981 – Izabella Miko, Polish actress and dancer

Notable Deaths

• 1793 – Louis XVI, King of France (b. 1754)
• 1924 – Vladimir Lenin, Russian revolutionary leader (b. 1870)
• 1950 – Eric Liddell, Scottish athlete and missionary (b. 1902)
• 1976 – Cecil B. DeMille, American film director (b. 1881)
• 1989 – Billy Tipton, American jazz musician (b. 1914)
• 1993 – Audrey Meadows, American actress (b. 1922)
• 2008 – Bobby Fischer, American chess grandmaster (b. 1943)
• 2012 – Wadsworth Jarrell, American artist (b. 1929)
• 2021 – Hank Aaron, American baseball legend (b. 1934)

Holidays

• International Sweatpants Day
• Lady of Altagracia Day – Dominican Republic
• Squirrel Appreciation Day
• St. Agnes Feast Day – Observed by Christian traditions

Fun Facts

• January 21 is best known historically for the execution of King Louis XVI.
• The Concorde could cross the Atlantic in under four hours.
• Christian Dior revolutionized fashion with his “New Look” after World War II.
• Vladimir Lenin’s death reshaped Soviet political history.
• The Women’s March became one of the largest single-day protests in history.
• Squirrel Appreciation Day was created to raise awareness of wildlife care.