December 21: What Happened on This Day in History
December 21st marks the 355th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 356th in case of leap years). There are 10 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 21st in history, famous birthdays on December 21st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 21.
What happened on December 21?
Here's what happened on December 21st in history:
- 2021: The U.S. State Department approved a significant military equipment sale to Lithuania, a NATO ally, consisting of 341 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and 30 command launch units. This arms transfer occurred during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions with Russia, signaling strategic military support for Eastern European NATO members.
- 2014: On December 21, 2014, Tunisia elected Beji Caid Essebsi, a secularist candidate, as its president. Essebsi won the presidential election with 55.68% of the vote, defeating his rival Moncef Marzouki. source: aljazeera.com
- 2011: Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying a three-person crew to the International Space Station, continuing international space exploration efforts.
- 2004: On December 21, 2004, a suicide attack targeted a U.S. military base in Mosul, Iraq, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The attack underscored the ongoing security challenges in the region.
- 2002: On December 21, 2002, a landmark DNA exoneration case in the United States highlighted the potential of DNA evidence to overturn wrongful convictions, leading to increased scrutiny of forensic practices. source: nytimes.com
- 1999: On December 21, 1999, Spanish authorities intercepted a terrorist plot by the Basque separatist group ETA in Madrid, preventing a potential attack. source: elibrary.imf.org
- 1995: On December 21, 1995, German alpine skier Martina Ertl secured a victory in the giant slalom event at Veysonnaz, Switzerland, contributing to her overall World Cup standings. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1988: On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland, resulting in the deaths of 270 people. The attack was attributed to Libyan terrorists, leading to significant international repercussions and a long investigation. source: bbc.com
- 1985: On December 21, 1985, the tanker ARCO Anchorage ran aground in Port Angeles Harbor, Washington, while anchoring. The vessel, carrying 814,000 barrels of Alaska North Slope crude oil, sustained two hull breaches, releasing approximately 5,690 barrels (239,000 gallons) of oil into the harbor. The spill led to significant environmental impacts, including the contamination of beaches and the death of over 4,000 birds. Cleanup efforts were initiated promptly, and the spill was considered the eighth largest in Washington state history at that time. source: incidentnews.noaa.gov
- 1981: On December 21, 1981, in Lusaka, Zambia, the Treaty establishing the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) for Eastern and Southern Africa was signed. This agreement aimed to promote economic integration among member states by reducing trade barriers and fostering regional cooperation. The PTA served as a precursor to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which was later established in 1994. source: globaledge.msu.edu
What famous birthdays are on December 21?
On December 21st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Samuel Jackson]()
Samuel Jackson (1948)Samuel L. Jackson is an acclaimed American actor and film producer known for his dynamic roles in critically and commercially successful films. Recognized for his distinctive voice and commanding screen presence, Jackson is one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood and has appeared in a wide variety of genres, including action, drama, and comedy. [bio]
![Phil Donahue]()
Phil Donahue (1935)Phil Donahue is an American media personality, writer, and film producer best known as the creator and host of 'The Phil Donahue Show,' which pioneered the talk show format involving audience participation. [bio]
![Jane Fonda]()
Jane Fonda (1937)Jane Fonda is an acclaimed American actress, political activist, and former fashion model known for her versatile performances in film and television, as well as her outspoken activism for environmental, feminist, and antiwar causes. [bio]
![Ray Romano]()
Ray Romano (1957)Ray Romano is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and screenwriter best known for his role as Raymond Barone on the hit sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond.' He has received critical acclaim and multiple awards for his work in television and film. [bio]
![Kiefer Sutherland]()
Kiefer Sutherland (1966)Kiefer Sutherland is a Canadian actor, producer, director, and singer known for his intense performances in film and television. He gained international fame for his role as Jack Bauer in the acclaimed TV series '24', for which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. [bio]
![Steven Yeun]()
Steven Yeun (1983)Steven Yeun is a South Korean-born American actor best known for his roles in 'The Walking Dead' and 'Minari.' He has received critical acclaim for his performances in both television and film and became the first Asian American actor to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. [bio]
![Mahira Khan]()
Mahira Khan (1982)Mahira Khan is a Pakistani actress and former VJ, widely recognized as one of the leading actresses in Pakistan. She gained international fame for her portrayal of Khirad Ehsan in the critically acclaimed television drama 'Humsafar' and has starred in several successful Pakistani films. [bio]
![Jane Kaczmarek]()
Jane Kaczmarek (1955)Jane Kaczmarek is an American actress best known for her role as Lois, the mother on the popular television sitcom 'Malcolm in the Middle.' Her performance on the show garnered widespread critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. [bio]
![Paul Winchell]()
Paul Winchell (1922)Paul Winchell was an American ventriloquist, comedian, actor, and inventor best known as the original voice of Tigger in Disney's Winnie the Pooh films and for his pioneering work in children’s television as the host of shows like 'The Paul Winchell Show' and 'Winchell-Mahoney Time.' [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 21?
On December 21st the following celebrities died:
![Ted Healy]()
Ted Healy (1937)Ted Healy was an American vaudeville performer, comedian, and actor best known for creating the comedy team that would become The Three Stooges. He was a prominent figure in early 20th-century American entertainment, performing on stage and in films during the 1920s and 1930s. [bio]
![John Eisenhower]()
John Eisenhower (2013)John Eisenhower was an American United States Army officer, diplomat, and military historian. He was the son of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and served both in World War II and the Korean War, later becoming U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. [bio]
![Albert King]()
Albert King (1992)Legendary blues guitarist and singer, one of the most influential blues musicians of the 20th century, known for his distinctive left-handed...
![Stella Adler]()
Stella Adler (1992)Stella Adler was a pioneering American actress and acting teacher who significantly influenced modern acting techniques.
![Nathan Milstein]()
Nathan Milstein (1992)Nathan Milstein was a renowned Ukrainian-American classical violinist, celebrated for his exceptional interpretations of Bach and Beethoven...
![Kurt Tucholsky]()
Kurt Tucholsky (1935)German-Jewish journalist, satirist, and poet, known for his sharp political and social criticism.
![Enzo Bearzot]()
Enzo Bearzot (2010)Legendary Italian football coach who led the Italian national team to victory in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, considered one of the most...
![Sidney Drell]()
Sidney Drell (2016)Renowned theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum electrodynamics and particle physics.
![Autar Singh Paintal]()
Autar Singh Paintal (2004)Renowned Indian physiologist and neurologist who made significant contributions to medical research, particularly in understanding...
![Paul de Man]()
Paul de Man (1983)Influential post-structuralist literary critic and philosopher known for his work on deconstruction and critical theory.
What day of the year is December 21?
December 21st marks the 355th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 356th in case of leap years).
There are 10 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 21st is the 21st day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 21?
On December 21st, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.
| December | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 21?
The zodiac sign associated with December 21st is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
