690
Politics
Proclamation as Emperor and Founding of Wu Zhou
Wu Zetian forces Emperor Ruizong to abdicate and proclaims herself emperor, founding the Wu Zhou dynasty on 21 September 690.
View detailsThis Day
21September
26 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1560
Politics
Death of Francis II
Francis II's death ended his brief reign, increasing Catherine’s influence during the governance of France.
View details1832
Science
Honorary membership Naval and Military Library
Mary Somerville was made an honorary member of the Naval and Military Library and Museum of London on 21 September 1832.
View details1863
Medicine
First female U.S. Army surgeon
Signed as a U.S. Army surgeon with Ohio Infantry, a first for women.
View details1898
Politics
Coup against the Guangxu Emperor
Cixi orchestrates a coup, halting the Hundred Days' Reform, and resumes control.
View details1898
Politics
Coup Against Guangxu Emperor and End of Hundred Days’ Reform
Cixi ends Hundred Days’ Reform, reclaiming imperial authority.
View details1907
Activism
Birth of Helen Foster Snow
Helen Foster Snow was born on September 21, 1907, in Cedar City, Utah.
View details1907
Politics
Birth of Grace Towns Hamilton
Grace Towns Hamilton was born on September 21, 1907, in Atlanta, Georgia.
View details1917
Science
Birth of Phyllis Nicolson
Phyllis Nicolson, mathematician and physicist known for the Crank–Nicolson method, was born in Macclesfield, England.
View details1937
Activism
Death of Chrystal Macmillan
Chrystal Macmillan passed away on September 21, 1937.
View details1938
Literature
Death of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić passed away on September 21, 1938, in Zagreb, Croatia.
View details1974
Science
"Angie Baby" enters Billboard Hot 100, beginning run to third No. 1
Reddy's single "Angie Baby" entered the Hot 100, beginning its climb to become her third US number-one hit.
View details1974
Literature
Death of Jacqueline Susann
Jacqueline Susann passed away on September 21, 1974, due to breast cancer.
View details1981
Medicine
Presentation of Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award
McClintock received the Lasker Award for pioneering work on transposable genetic elements in maize.
View details1981
Law
Unanimous Senate confirmation as first woman justice
The U.S. Senate unanimously confirms Sandra Day O’Connor 99–0, making her the first woman justice on the Supreme Court.
View details1995
Science
Launch of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
The Dollywood Foundation launches Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, initially providing free books to children in Sevier County, Tennessee.
View details1996
Science
Death of Sabine Zlatin
Sabine Zlatin died on September 21, 1996, in Paris, at the age of 89, remembered as 'the Lady of Izieu.'
View details1998
Science
Death of Florence Griffith Joyner
Florence Griffith Joyner died at age 38 in Mission Viejo, California, after suffering an epileptic seizure during sleep.
View details1999
Arts
USPS commemorative stamp honoring Meredith Willson
USPS released a commemorative stamp honoring Meredith Willson and his legacy as Iowa’s Music Man.
View details2000
Arts
Performance at Sydney 2000 Olympics closing ceremony
Björk's song 'I've Seen It All' was featured at the Sydney 2000 Olympics closing ceremony on September 21, 2000.
View details2001
Sports
Career-high four-point soccer game vs. Mississippi State
Martin scored two goals against Mississippi State, reaching a career-high four points in a single soccer match for Jacksonville State.
View details2003
Science
Galileo mission to Jupiter concludes under Alexander's leadership
As final project manager, Claudia Alexander oversaw the Galileo spacecraft's planned plunge into Jupiter's atmosphere on September 21, 2003, ending its historic mission.
View details2004
Sports
Athens 2004 Paralympic gold in 100 m freestyle S9
Wins 100 m freestyle S9 gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, reinforcing her dominance in sprint freestyle events.
View details2004
Sports
Bronze medal – Athens 2004 T54 200m
Earns bronze in women’s T54 200m at the Athens 2004 Paralympics on 21 September 2004.
View details2004
Sports
First Paralympic medal in Athens 2004
Wins bronze in 400m T12 at Athens 2004, her first Paralympic medal.
View details2007
Aviation
First air battle manager and first woman frocked to brigadier general leading 552nd ACW
At Tinker AFB, Robinson became the first air battle manager and first woman 552nd Air Control Wing commander frocked to brigadier general.
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