Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 21 Monday, December 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 21 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
13
Events
7
Birthdays
3
Holidays
1844
UK history 182 years ago
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers commences business at its cooperative in Rochdale, England, starting the Cooperative movement.
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers opens its cooperative store in England, establishing foundational principles that launch the modern cooperative movement.
History
What happened on December 21
13 verified entries Full timeline
- 69World history
The Roman Senate declares Vespasian emperor of Rome, the last in the Year of the Four Emperors.
The Roman Senate proclaims Vespasian as emperor, ending the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors.
- 1124Religion
Pope Honorius II is consecrated, having been elected after the controversial dethroning of Pope-Elect Celestine II.
Pope Honorius II is consecrated following the controversial ousting of Pope-Elect Celestine II.
- 1140War
After a siege of several weeks, the city of Weinsberg and its castle surrender to Conrad III of Germany.
Conrad III of Germany accepts the surrender of Weinsberg and its castle, ending a weeks-long siege.
- 1237War
The city of Ryazan is sacked by the Mongol army of Batu Khan.
The city of Ryazan is destroyed by Batu Khan's Mongol army.
- 1361European history
The Battle of Linuesa is fought in the context of the Spanish Reconquista between the forces of the Emirate of Granada and the combined army of the Kingdom of Castile and of Jaén resulting in a Castilian victory.
The Battle of Linuesa results in a Castilian victory over Granadan forces during the Spanish Reconquista.
- 1598War
Battle of Curalaba: The revolting Mapuche, led by cacique Pelentaru, inflict a major defeat on Spanish troops in southern Chile.
The Mapuche, led by cacique Pelentaru, defeat Spanish troops in southern Chile.
- 1620US history
Plymouth Colony: William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims land near what is now known as Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The Mayflower Pilgrims led by William Bradford land near Plymouth Rock in present-day Massachusetts.
- 1844UK history
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers commences business at its cooperative in Rochdale, England, starting the Cooperative movement.
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers opens its cooperative store in England, establishing foundational principles that launch the modern cooperative movement.
- 1861US history
Medal of Honor: Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, is signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln.
President Lincoln signs legislation establishing the Navy Medal of Valor, later renamed the Medal of Honor.
- 1973World history
The Geneva Conference on the Arab-Israeli conflict opens.
The Geneva Conference convenes with representatives from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the United States, and the Soviet Union to negotiate peace following the Yom Kippur War.
- 1979UK history
Lancaster House Agreement: An independence agreement for Rhodesia is signed in London by Lord Carrington, Sir Ian Gilmour, Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Bishop Abel Muzorewa and S.C. Mundawarara.
British officials and Rhodesian leaders including Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, and Bishop Abel Muzorewa sign the Lancaster House Agreement in London, paving the way for Zimbabwe's independence.
- 1988World history
Pan Am Flight 103 explodes over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people
A terrorist bomb destroyed the Boeing 747 en route from London to New York, killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 residents on the ground. The attack remains one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in history.
- 2004War
Iraq War: A suicide bomber kills 22 at the forward operating base next to the main U.S. military airfield at Mosul, Iraq, the single deadliest suicide attack on American soldiers in Iraq.
A suicide bomber kills 22 people at a U.S. military base near Mosul, making it the deadliest such attack in Iraq.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 21
7 this date All birthdays
Lorenzo Perosi
Italian priest and composer
Lorenzo Perosi, the Italian priest and composer who became internationally celebrated for his sacred music and oratorios while still in his twenties, was born today in 1872.
Born
1872
Died
1956
Benedict Arnold
Rhode Island colonial governor
1615 – 1678
Trevor Kincaid
Canadian-American zoologist and academic
1872 – 1970
Sewall Wright
American geneticist and biologist
1889 – 1988
Iris Cummings
American swimmer and aviator
1920 – 2025
Michael Tilson Thomas
American pianist, composer, and conductor
1944 – 2026
Andy Dick
American actor and comedian
b. 1965 · 61
Music
The number one songs on December 21
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2024"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2023"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2022"All I Want for Christmas Is You"— Mariah Carey
- 2021"Merry Christmas"— Ed Sheeran and Elton John
- 2020"All I Want for Christmas Is You"— Mariah Carey
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 21, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 21, 2020
A great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurs, with the two planets separated in the sky by 0.1 degrees. This is the closest conjunction between the two planets since 1623.
Jupiter and Saturn appear just one-tenth of a degree apart in the night sky, marking their closest alignment since 1623.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Philippines)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Forefathers' Day (Plymouth, Massachusetts)
International
Forefathers' Day is a holiday celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 22
São Tomé Day (São Tomé and Príncipe)
International
This is a list of holidays in São Tomé and Príncipe
❝
These are the times that try men's souls.
— Thomas Paine · born December 21, 1737