On This Day in History – November 21

November 21 marks moments of discovery, revolution, and cultural evolution. From the first balloon flight to groundbreaking peace agreements and literary achievements, this date reflects both human imagination and our ongoing quest for progress.

Major Events

1. 1620 – The Mayflower Compact is signed by 41 Pilgrims at Cape Cod, establishing one of the first forms of democratic government in the New World.
2. 1783 – Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes make the first free manned balloon flight over Paris, pioneering human aviation.
3. 1877 – Thomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph, transforming how people record and experience sound.
4. 1916 – The HMHS Britannic, sister ship to the Titanic, sinks in the Aegean Sea after hitting a mine during World War I, killing 30 people.
5. 1934 – Ella Fitzgerald wins her first amateur contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, launching her legendary jazz career.
6. 1942 – The Alaska Highway, connecting the continental United States to Alaska, is officially opened, strengthening North American defense during World War II.
7. 1964 – The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opens in New York City, then the longest suspension bridge in the world, linking Brooklyn and Staten Island.
8. 1973 – The U.S. Senate votes to confirm Gerald Ford as Vice President following Spiro Agnew’s resignation.
9. 1980 – A deadly fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas kills 85 people, leading to major reforms in fire safety regulations.
10. 1995 – The Dayton Agreement is initialed in Ohio, effectively ending the Bosnian War and redrawing the map of the Balkans.
11. 2012 – Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, sparking international calls for de-escalation.
12. 2019 – The first known case of COVID-19 is traced back to this date in Wuhan, China, according to later investigations.

Famous Birthdays

1. Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) (1694–1778) — French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, known for Candide and advocacy of free speech.
2. Benoît Mandelbrot (1924–2010) — Polish-French mathematician, father of fractal geometry.
3. Goldie Hawn (1945– ) — American actress and producer known for Private Benjamin and The First Wives Club.
4. Harold Ramis (1944–2014) — American actor, writer, and director behind Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day.
5. Björk (1965– ) — Icelandic singer, songwriter, and artist celebrated for her experimental music and creativity.
6. Nicollette Sheridan (1963– ) — British-American actress best known for Desperate Housewives.
7. Troy Aikman (1966– ) — American football quarterback, three-time Super Bowl champion, and broadcaster.
8. Michael Strahan (1971– ) — American football player and TV host on Good Morning America.
9. Jena Malone (1984– ) — American actress known for Donnie Darko and The Hunger Games.
10. Carly Rae Jepsen (1985– ) — Canadian singer-songwriter famous for her hit Call Me Maybe.

Notable Deaths

1. Henry Purcell (1659–1695) — English composer whose innovations shaped the Baroque period in Britain.
2. Robert Falcon Scott (1868–1912) — British explorer who perished during his return from the South Pole.
3. Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872) — Austrian playwright and poet known for works blending Romanticism and realism.
4. C. Wright Mills (1916–1962) — American sociologist and author of The Power Elite, a foundational text in social theory.
5. Francisco Franco (1892–1975) — Spanish dictator who ruled Spain for nearly 40 years until his death.
6. Abd al-Aziz Ibn Saud (1876–1953) — Founder and first King of Saudi Arabia, uniting the Arabian Peninsula under his rule.
7. Jerry Orbach (1935–2004) — American actor known for Law & Order and his voice role in Beauty and the Beast.
8. David Cassidy (1950–2017) — American singer and actor, 1970s teen idol from The Partridge Family.
9. John Hillerman (1932–2017) — American actor best known for Magnum, P.I..

Holidays

• World Television Day (UN) — Highlights the impact of television on communication, education, and global awareness.
• Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh) — Commemorates the establishment of the nation’s armed forces in 1971.
• World Hello Day — Encourages people to greet ten others to promote peace and goodwill.
• National Stuffing Day (U.S.) — A fun culinary celebration ahead of Thanksgiving.
• Teacher’s Day (Venezuela) — Honors educators’ dedication to student development and learning.

Fun Facts

• The Mayflower Compact, signed on this date (old calendar), became the first written framework for self-government in the Americas.
• The first manned balloon flight in 1783 inspired future aviation pioneers, including the Wright brothers.
• Edison’s phonograph recording of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is considered the first audio playback in history.
• The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge’s main span measures over 4,260 feet, holding the record until 1981.
• World Hello Day was created in 1973 as a grassroots response to global conflict, promoting peace through simple human connection.