1774
Science
Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca signed
Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, securing Russian access to the Black Sea and expanding influence over Ottoman territories.
View detailsThis Day
21July
20 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1853
Activism
Birth of Anna Adams Gordon
Anna Adams Gordon was born on July 21, 1853, in Boston.
View details1856
Arts
Birth of Louise Blanchard Bethune
Birth of Louise Blanchard Bethune in Waterloo, New York.
View details1868
Science
First known patent granted: improved crib attachment
Tracy was granted U.S. patent no. 80,769 for an 'Improvement in cribs,' an attachment allowing a crib to fold into a bedstead.
View details1898
Arts
Birth of Sara Dougherty (Sara Carter)
Sara Dougherty (later Carter) was born in Wise County, Virginia.
View details1938
Science
Birth of Janet Reno
Janet Wood Reno was born in Miami, Florida, to journalist parents Henry Olaf Reno and Jane Wood Reno.
View details1943
Politics
Endorsed and voted for the Equal Rights Amendment
Hattie Caraway endorsed and voted for the Equal Rights Amendment, a pioneering gesture in Congress.
View details1944
Literature
Birth of Buchi Emecheta
Buchi Emecheta was born in Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, to Igbo parents.
View details1958
Arts
Opening of Joyce Chen Restaurant in Cambridge
Joyce Chen opened her first restaurant, introducing Mandarin cuisine.
View details1960
Politics
World’s first woman prime minister sworn in
Sirimavo Bandaranaike becomes the world's first woman prime minister.
View details1960
Politics
Modern world’s first female head of government
Became modern world's first female head of government.
View details1960
Politics
Recognition as first woman in world history to hold office of Prime Minister
Officially recognized as the first female PM in world history.
View details1960
Politics
Assumes Defence and External Affairs portfolios as Prime Minister
Became Minister of Defence and External Affairs concurrently as PM.
View details1977
Arts
Death at Farley Farm House, East Sussex
On 21 July 1977, Lee Miller dies of cancer at Farley Farm House in East Sussex, closing the life of a model, Surrealist photographer, and war correspondent.
View details1989
Arts
Release of 'When Harry Met Sally...'
'When Harry Met Sally...' was released, becoming an iconic romantic comedy.
View details1996
Sports
Scoring in group play en route to inaugural Olympic women’s soccer gold
Hamm scored for the U.S. against Denmark, propelling team to Olympic success.
View details2007
Literature
Publication of *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*
The seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series is released.
View details2011
Arts
"God Bless America" used as final Space Shuttle wake-up call
NASA played Smith's recording of "God Bless America" as the final astronaut wake-up call, ending the 30-year Space Shuttle program.
View details2013
Sports
World record – 800m T54 at Lyon 2013
Sets a world record in the women’s 800m T54 at the IPC World Championships in Lyon on 21 July 2013.
View details2021
