![former image source [1]; current image source [2]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Torelli2.jpg)
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
July 21 Tuesday, July 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 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.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
War 252 years ago
Russo-Turkish War (1768-74): Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca ending the war.
Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, ending a six-year war and significantly expanding Russian influence in the Black Sea region.
History
What happened on July 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -356Disaster
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is destroyed by arson.
Arson destroys the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- 230Religion
Pope Pontian succeeds Urban I as the eighteenth pope. After being exiled to Sardinia, he became the first pope to resign his office.
Pope Pontian succeeds Urban I as the eighteenth pope and later becomes the first to resign after being exiled to Sardinia.
- 285World history
Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar and co-ruler.
Diocletian appoints Maximian as co-ruler, establishing the Tetrarchy to stabilize Roman governance.
- 365Disaster
The 365 Crete earthquake affected the Greek island of Crete with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), causing a destructive tsunami that affects the coasts of Libya and Egypt, especially Alexandria. Many thousands are killed.
A powerful earthquake hits Crete, generating a devastating tsunami that impacts Libya and Egypt, particularly Alexandria, with many fatalities.
- 905European history
King Berengar I of Italy and a hired Hungarian army defeats the Frankish forces at Verona. King Louis III is captured and blinded for breaking his oath (see 902).
Berengar I defeats the Frankish forces at Verona, capturing and blinding King Louis III for violating his oath.
- 1242European history
Battle of Taillebourg: Louis IX of France puts an end to the revolt of his vassals Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan.
Louis IX of France defeats Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan at the Battle of Taillebourg, crushing their rebellion and securing royal authority.
- 1403UK history
Battle of Shrewsbury: King Henry IV of England defeats rebels to the north of the county town of Shropshire, England.
King Henry IV defeats rebel forces at the Battle of Shrewsbury, securing his rule in northern England.
- 1545UK history
The first landing of French troops on the coast of the Isle of Wight during the French invasion of the Isle of Wight.
French troops landed on the Isle of Wight's coast, marking the beginning of their invasion of the island.
- 1568War
Eighty Years' War: Battle of Jemmingen: Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva defeats Louis of Nassau.
Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva, defeats Louis of Nassau in the Battle of Jemmingen during the Eighty Years' War.
- 1645World history
Qing dynasty regent Dorgon issues an edict ordering all Han Chinese men to shave their forehead and braid the rest of their hair into a queue identical to those of the Manchus.
Dorgon orders Han Chinese men to adopt Manchu hairstyle by shaving the forehead and braiding the remaining hair.
- 1674War
A Dutch assault on the French island of Martinique is repulsed against all odds.
French defenders repulse a Dutch assault on Martinique, the outnumbered garrison holding the Caribbean island against a superior attacking force.
- 1774War
Russo-Turkish War (1768-74): Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca ending the war.
Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, ending a six-year war and significantly expanding Russian influence in the Black Sea region.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 21
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 47
Tamika Catchings
American basketball player
Tamika Catchings, who played her entire 15-year WNBA career with the Indiana Fever and is widely considered one of the greatest female basketball players of all time, turns 46 today.
Born
1979
Turns 47
today
Leon Schidlowsky
Chilean-Israeli painter and composer
1931 – 2022
Robert Shrum
American author and political advisor
b. 1943 · 83
Barry Richards
South African cricketer
b. 1945 · 81
Michael Connelly
American author
b. 1956 · 70
Brandi Chastain
American soccer player and sportscaster
b. 1968 · 58
Korey Cooper
American singer and guitarist
b. 1972 · 54
Music
The number one songs on July 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 21, 1991
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"
by Bryan Adams
#1 for 16 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Dior"— MK featuring Chrystal
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Sprinter"— Dave and Central Cee
- 2022"Afraid to Feel"— LF System
- 2021"Bad Habits"— Ed Sheeran
- 2020"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)"— Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport July 21, 1959
Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last team to integrate. He came in as a pinch runner for Vic Wertz and stayed in as shortstop in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American player for the Boston Red Sox, entering as a pinch runner and playing shortstop in a loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 21, 1969
Apollo program: At 02:56 UTC, astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon, followed 19 minutes later by Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin.
Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon, followed 19 minutes later by Buzz Aldrin.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Liberation Day in 1944 (Guam)
International
Liberation Day is a day, often a public holiday, that marks the liberation of a place, similar to an independence day, but differing from it because it does not involve the original creation of stateh
Belgian National Day (Belgium)
International
Belgian National Day is the national holiday of Belgium commemorated annually on 21 July
Racial Harmony Day (Singapore)
International
Racial Harmony Day is a day in Singapore to promote racial and ethnic harmony within the nation
Summer Kazanskaya (Russia)
International
Our Lady of Kazan, also called Mother of God of Kazan, is a holy icon of the highest stature within the Russian Orthodox Church, representing the Virgin Mary as the protector and patroness of the city
❝
Catch the dreams that you have. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it.
— Tamika Catchings · born July 21, 1979