May 21: What Happened on This Day in History
May 21st marks the 141st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 142nd in case of leap years). There are 224 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 21st in history, famous birthdays on May 21st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 21.
What happened on May 21?
Here's what happened on May 21st in history:
- 2022: President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden, marking the earliest bilateral meeting in a South Korean president's term. The leaders discussed shared concerns about North Korean human rights and reaffirmed their commitment to humanitarian cooperation.
- 2017: NBA player Enes Kanter returned to the United States after a trip to Turkey, where he faced threats due to his outspoken criticism of the Turkish government. His return was marked by concerns for his safety and the implications of his activism. source: nytimes.com
- 2009: On May 21, 2009, Israeli security forces evacuated and dismantled an unauthorized settlement outpost on a West Bank hilltop, following a High Court order. The move was part of Israel's commitment to freeze settlement expansion. source: timesofisrael.com
- 2005: Greece's Helena Paparizou won the 50th Eurovision Song Contest with her song "My Number One," held in Kyiv, Ukraine. The performance was notable for its blend of traditional Greek dance and modern pop elements. source: eurovision.tv
- 2003: On May 21, 2003, a powerful earthquake struck the Boumerdès region of Algeria, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, resulted in thousands of fatalities and left many more injured, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. source: britannica.com
- 1980: The highly anticipated sequel to Star Wars, titled 'The Empire Strikes Back,' premiered on May 21, 1980. Directed by Irvin Kershner, the film continued the saga of the Rebel Alliance's struggle against the Galactic Empire, featuring iconic characters and groundbreaking special effects. It has since become a classic in the science fiction genre. source: starwars.com
- 1979: On May 21, 1979, following the conviction of Dan White for the voluntary manslaughter of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, thousands of protesters, primarily from San Francisco's gay community, gathered at City Hall. The demonstration escalated into riots, resulting in property damage, injuries to both police officers and protesters, and a retaliatory police raid on a gay bar in the Castro District. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1971: Marvin Gaye's eleventh studio album, 'What's Going On,' was released on May 21, 1971, by Motown's Tamla label. The album, which addresses social issues such as poverty and the Vietnam War, received critical acclaim and became one of the best-selling albums of its time. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1969: On May 21, 1969, Sirhan Sirhan was sentenced to life in prison for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The trial and sentencing were highly publicized, reflecting the political tensions of the era. Sirhan's actions had a profound impact on American politics and society. source: nytimes.com
- 1968: On May 21, 1968, the Soviet Union performed an underground nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This test was part of a series of 17 nuclear tests conducted by the Soviet Union in 1968. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on May 21?
On May 21st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Fats Waller]()
Fats Waller (1904)Fats Waller was an influential American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and comedic entertainer, widely recognized for his innovations in stride piano and contributions to the development of early jazz. [bio]
![Raymond Burr]()
Raymond Burr (1917)Raymond Burr was a Canadian-American actor best known for his roles in television drama series, notably as Perry Mason in 'Perry Mason' and Robert T. Ironside in 'Ironside'. Over his extensive career, he became an iconic figure in legal and crime dramas, acclaimed for his commanding screen presence. [bio]
![Nora Aunor]()
Nora Aunor (1953)Nora Aunor is a renowned Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer, celebrated for her significant contributions to Philippine cinema and music. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and critically acclaimed performers in the Philippines, known as the 'Superstar' for her extensive and award-winning career spanning several decades. [bio]
![Tom Daley]()
![Josh Hamilton]()
Josh Hamilton (1981)Josh Hamilton is a retired American professional baseball outfielder, best known for his time in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Texas Rangers, where he achieved MVP honors and contributed to the team's back-to-back World Series appearances. [bio]
![Al Franken]()
Al Franken (1951)Al Franken is an American comedian, writer, political commentator, and former U.S. Senator. He gained fame as a writer and performer on 'Saturday Night Live' and later transitioned into politics, serving as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. [bio]
![Judge Reinhold]()
Judge Reinhold (1957)Judge Reinhold is an American actor best known for his roles in popular films such as 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High,' 'Beverly Hills Cop' series, and 'The Santa Clause' trilogy. With a career spanning over four decades, Reinhold has become recognizable for his comedic talent and appearances in several hit movies of the 1980s and 1990s. [bio]
![Mutya Buena]()
Mutya Buena (1985)Mutya Buena is an English singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the successful girl group Sugababes. She has also released solo material and collaborated with various artists across genres. [bio]
![Kay Kendall]()
Kay Kendall (1926)Kay Kendall was an acclaimed English actress and comedienne, best known for her roles in British comedies during the 1950s. She gained fame for her sparkling screen presence and comic timing, becoming one of the most popular film stars of her era before her untimely death at 32. [bio]
![Nick Cassavetes]()
Nick Cassavetes (1959)Nick Cassavetes is an American actor, director, and screenwriter known for his work in both film and television. He is notable for directing popular films such as 'The Notebook' and comes from a family of celebrated filmmakers. [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 May 21?
On May 21st the following celebrities died:
![John Gielgud]()
John Gielgud (2000)Sir John Gielgud was a renowned English actor and theatre director, regarded as one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of the 20th century. His career spanned nearly eight decades across stage, film, and television. [bio]
![John Garfield]()
John Garfield (1952)John Garfield was an acclaimed American actor noted for his roles in both stage and film during Hollywood's Golden Age. A pioneer of Method acting, Garfield was known for his intense, naturalistic performances, particularly in gritty dramas. [bio]
![Vaughn Monroe]()
Vaughn Monroe (1973)Vaughn Monroe was a popular American baritone singer, trumpeter, big band leader, and actor, most prominent during the 1940s and early 1950s. He was known for his rich voice and his string of hit records, particularly 'Racing With the Moon.' [bio]
![Kenneth Clark]()
Kenneth Clark (1983)Prominent British art historian, museum director, and influential cultural figure known for his groundbreaking work in art criticism and...
![Jane Addams]()
![Niki de Saint Phalle]()
Niki de Saint Phalle (2002)Renowned French-American artist known for her large-scale sculptural works, feminist art, and innovative artistic techniques combining...
![Barbara Cartland]()
Barbara Cartland (2000)Barbara Cartland was a prolific British romance novelist who wrote 723 books, selling over a billion copies worldwide.
![Tommaso Campanella]()
Tommaso Campanella (1639)Italian philosopher and poet known for his utopian work 'The City of the Sun'.
![Klaus Mann]()
Klaus Mann (1949)Renowned German writer and intellectual, son of Thomas Mann, known for his novel 'Mephisto' and his complex personal life during the Nazi...
![Rajiv Gandhi]()
Rajiv Gandhi (1991)Rajiv Gandhi was an influential Indian politician who served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989.
What day of the year is May 21?
May 21st marks the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 142nd in case of leap years).
There are 224 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 21st is the 21st day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 21?
On May 21st, 2026 the day of the week is Thursday.
| May | 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 May 21?
The zodiac sign associated with May 21st is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.
