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
May 21 Thursday, May 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 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
8
Holidays
European history 1030 years ago
Sixteen-year-old Otto III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
Sixteen-year-old Otto III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome, becoming one of the youngest rulers to hold the title.
History
What happened on May 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 293World history
Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian appoint Galerius as Caesar to Diocletian, beginning the period of four rulers known as the Tetrarchy.
Galerius is appointed Caesar by Emperor Diocletian, initiating the Tetrarchy era with four co-ruling emperors.
- 878European history
Syracuse, Sicily, is captured by the Muslim Aghlabids after a nine-month siege.
Syracuse falls to the Muslim Aghlabids following a nine-month siege.
- 879Religion
Pope John VIII gives blessings to Branimir of Croatia and to the Croatian people, considered to be international recognition of the Croatian state.
Pope John VIII bestows blessings on Branimir of Croatia and the Croatian people, marking international recognition of the Croatian state.
- 996European history
Sixteen-year-old Otto III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
Sixteen-year-old Otto III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome, becoming one of the youngest rulers to hold the title.
- 1294European history
Coronation of Michael IX Palaiologos as Byzantine Emperor.
Michael IX Palaiologos is crowned co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire alongside his father Andronikos II, establishing a joint reign.
- 1347UK history
Coronation of John VI Kantakouzenos as Byzantine Emperor by patriarch Isidore I of Constantinople at the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae.
John VI Kantakouzenos is crowned Byzantine Emperor by Patriarch Isidore I at the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae.
- 1349European history
Dušan's Code, the constitution of the Serbian Empire, is enacted by Dušan the Mighty.
Dušan the Mighty enacts Dušan's Code, establishing it as the constitution of the Serbian Empire.
- 1403Royalty
Henry III of Castile sends Ruy González de Clavijo as ambassador to Timur to discuss the possibility of an alliance between Timur and Castile against the Ottoman Empire.
Ruy González de Clavijo is dispatched by Henry III of Castile to negotiate a potential alliance with Timur against the Ottomans.
- 1424UK history
Coronation of James I of Scotland at Scone.
James I is crowned King of Scots at Scone Abbey.
- 1554UK history
Queen Mary I grants a royal charter to Derby School, as a grammar school for boys in Derby, England.
Queen Mary I grants a royal charter to Derby School, establishing it as a grammar school for boys in Derby.
- 1659European history
In the Concert of The Hague, the Dutch Republic, the Commonwealth of England and the Kingdom of France set out their views on how the Second Northern War should end.
The Dutch Republic, the Commonwealth of England, and the Kingdom of France outlined their terms for ending the Second Northern War at the Concert of The Hague.
- 1792Disaster
A lava dome collapses on Mount Unzen, near the city of Shimbara on the Japanese island of Kyūshū, creating a deadly tsunami that killed nearly 15,000 people.
A lava dome collapse on Mount Unzen generates a destructive tsunami, killing nearly 15,000 people in Shimbara.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 21
7 this date All birthdays
Music
The number one songs on May 21
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 21, 2005
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
Kingda Ka, the world's tallest roller coaster, opens at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 21, 2010
JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, launches the solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS aboard an H-IIA rocket. The vessel would make a Venus flyby late in the year.
JAXA launches the solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS, which later performs a Venus flyby.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia)
International
Afro-Colombian Day is an annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the Republic of Colombia on May 21, 1851
Circassian Day of Mourning (Circassians)
International
The Circassian Day of Mourning is observed by the Circassian diaspora every year on 21 May to commemorate all those who were killed in and displaced by the Circassian genocide, which took place in the
Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary)
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
Independence Day, celebrates the Montenegrin independence referendum in 2006, celebrated until the next day. (Montenegro)
International
Independence Day is observed in Montenegro on 21 May to commemorate the passage of the 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, marking Montenegro's independence from Serbia and Montenegro
International Tea Day (International)
International
International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations
Navy Day (Chile)
International
Day of Naval Glories is a Chilean national holiday celebrated on May 21 each year
❝
If I cannot drink bourbon and smoke cigars in heaven, then I shall not go.
— Mark Twain · born May 21, 1835