September 21: What Happened on This Day in History
September 21st marks the 264th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 265th in case of leap years). There are 101 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on September 21st in history, famous birthdays on September 21st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to September 21.
What happened on September 21?
Here's what happened on September 21st in history:
- 2023: NASA confirmed a groundbreaking scientific discovery: the James Webb Space Telescope has successfully identified carbon dioxide on Europa, Jupiter's moon. This finding is significant for understanding potential habitability and the moon's geological composition.
- 2018: Greek-American LGBT rights activist Zak Kostopoulos was killed on September 21, 2018, in Athens. He was beaten by two men and later by police, dying on the way to the hospital. source: euronews.com
- 2015: On September 21, 2015, Russia commenced airstrikes in Syria, targeting positions of the Islamic State and other rebel groups, marking a significant escalation in the Syrian conflict. source: aljazeera.com
- 2012: On September 21, 2012, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the withdrawal of the last 33,000 U.S. 'surge' troops from Afghanistan, returning the U.S. military presence to pre-surge levels. This marked the completion of a phased drawdown initiated in July 2012, with the remaining 68,000 U.S. troops continuing operations in the country. source: aljazeera.com
- 1997: On September 21, 1997, the Armed Islamic Salvation (AIS) group declared a ceasefire in Algeria, signaling a potential de-escalation in the country's civil conflict. source: aljazeera.com
- 1992: On September 21, 1992, the Vatican announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Mexico, ending a 125-year period of estrangement. This move aimed to promote mutual friendly relations between the two entities. source: upi.com
- 1989: Hurricane Hugo made landfall in South Carolina on September 21, 1989, causing extensive damage and loss of life. It was one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the U.S. East Coast. source: nhc.noaa.gov
- 1984: NASA launched the Galaxy-C communications satellite on September 21, 1984. The satellite was designed to provide direct-to-home television services across the United States. source: nasa.gov
- 1976: On September 21, 1976, Orlando Letelier, a former Chilean diplomat and critic of dictator Augusto Pinochet, was killed in Washington, D.C., by a car bomb planted by agents of the Chilean secret police (DINA). Letelier's assistant, Ronni Moffitt, was also killed in the attack. Declassified U.S. intelligence documents indicate that Pinochet personally ordered the assassination. source: bbc.com
- 1970: On September 21, 1970, the Soviet Union's Luna 16 spacecraft lifted off from the Moon's surface, carrying lunar soil samples back to Earth. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on September 21?
On September 21st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Bill Murray]()
Bill Murray (1950)Bill Murray is an acclaimed American actor, comedian, and writer known for his deadpan delivery and iconic roles in film and television. Rising to fame on 'Saturday Night Live', Murray became widely recognized for his performances in classic comedies such as 'Ghostbusters', 'Groundhog Day', and 'Caddyshack', as well as his collaborations with director Wes Anderson. [bio]
![Larry Hagman]()
Larry Hagman (1931)Larry Hagman was an American actor, director, and producer best known for his roles as J.R. Ewing in the television series 'Dallas' and as Major Anthony Nelson in 'I Dream of Jeannie.' [bio]
![Kareena Kapoor]()
Kareena Kapoor (1980)Kareena Kapoor is a renowned Indian actress who has appeared predominantly in Bollywood films. She comes from the famous Kapoor family and is known for her versatile roles and strong screen presence. Kapoor is regarded as one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in India. [bio]
![Ethan Coen]()
Ethan Coen (1957)Ethan Coen is an acclaimed American filmmaker, writer, and producer, best known for his long-standing collaboration with his brother Joel Coen. Together, they are often referred to as the 'Coen Brothers' and are renowned for their unique storytelling style and influential work in cinema. [bio]
![Noor Jehan]()
Noor Jehan (1926)Noor Jehan was a legendary Pakistani playback singer and actress, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential singers in the history of South Asian music. Known as 'Malika-e-Tarannum' (Queen of Melody), she had a remarkable career spanning over six decades and sang thousands of songs in various languages, including Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. [bio]
![Alfonso Ribeiro]()
Alfonso Ribeiro (1971)Alfonso Ribeiro is an American actor, comedian, and television host best known for his role as Carlton Banks on the NBC sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.' He is also recognized for winning season 19 of 'Dancing with the Stars' and for hosting 'America's Funniest Home Videos.' [bio]
![Ricki Lake]()
Ricki Lake (1968)Ricki Lake is an American actress, television presenter, and producer, best known for her role as Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film 'Hairspray' and for hosting the long-running talk show 'The Ricki Lake Show.' [bio]
![Cheryl Hines]()
Cheryl Hines (1965)Cheryl Hines is an American actress and director best known for her role as Cheryl David on the critically acclaimed HBO comedy series 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' [bio]
![Nancy Travis]()
Nancy Travis (1961)Nancy Travis is an American actress best known for her roles in films such as 'Three Men and a Baby,' 'So I Married an Axe Murderer,' and for her long-running television work, including 'Last Man Standing.' She has built a versatile career spanning comedy, drama, and family-oriented programming. [bio]
![Fannie Flagg]()
Fannie Flagg (1944)Fannie Flagg is an American author, actress, comedian, and screenwriter best known for her bestselling novel 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe', which was later adapted into the acclaimed film 'Fried Green Tomatoes.' Her career spans television, film, and literature, and she is celebrated for her Southern storytelling and humor. [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 September 21?
On September 21st the following celebrities died:
![Jacqueline Susann]()
Jacqueline Susann (1974)Jacqueline Susann was a bestselling American novelist, best known for her controversial and sensational novels in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly 'Valley of the Dolls.' [bio]
![Harry Carey]()
Harry Carey (1947)Harry Carey was an influential American actor known for his work in silent films and early Hollywood Westerns, often collaborating with director John Ford. He appeared in over 250 films and was a key figure in shaping the Western genre in American cinema. [bio]
![Walter Brennan]()
Walter Brennan (1974)Walter Brennan was a highly acclaimed American actor, recognized for his distinctive voice and remarkable ability to portray a variety of supporting roles in film and television during Hollywood's Golden Age. He is one of only three male actors to win three Academy Awards for acting. [bio]
![Alice Ghostley]()
Alice Ghostley (2007)Alice Ghostley was an American actress and singer best known for her roles in television sitcoms such as 'Bewitched' and 'Designing Women,' as well as her work on Broadway. [bio]
![Henry Koster]()
Henry Koster (1988)Henry Koster was a prominent German-born American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his influential work in Hollywood, particularly from the 1930s through the 1960s. He directed numerous successful films, including 'The Bishop’s Wife', 'Harvey', and 'The Robe', a landmark as the first film released in CinemaScope. [bio]
![Nigel Patrick]()
Nigel Patrick (1981)Nigel Patrick was an English actor and stage director, celebrated for his sophisticated performances in British films during the mid-20th century. [bio]
![Osgood Perkins]()
![Florence Griffith Joyner]()
Florence Griffith Joyner (1998)Legendary Olympic sprinter who set world records in the 100- and 200-meter races during the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
![Arthur Ashkin]()
Arthur Ashkin (2020)Arthur Ashkin was a Nobel Prize-winning American physicist who revolutionized scientific research by inventing optical tweezers.
![Arthur Schopenhauer]()
Arthur Schopenhauer (1860)German writer and philosopher, he is well-known for his poetic prose and pessimistic views.
What day of the year is September 21?
September 21st marks the 264th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 265th in case of leap years).
There are 101 days remaining until the end of the year.
September 21st is the 21st day of the month of September.
What day of the week is September 21?
On September 21st, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.
| September | 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 | ||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day September 21?
The zodiac sign associated with September 21st is Virgo according to the Western Zodiac.
More about September 21 zodiac
