On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
July 21
Events on This Day
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1925
88 years agoTennessee teacher John Scopes is convicted after he teaches Darwin's theory of evolution, a violation of state law. The ruling is eventually overturned.
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1961
52 years agoOn the spacecraft Liberty Bell 7, Gus Grissom pilots the second American-manned suborbital flight.
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2001
12 years agoMadonna kicks off the North American leg of her Drowned World Tour, performing songs like "Music," "Frozen" and "Don't Tell Me."
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2007
6 years agoJ.K. Rowling releases the final book in the Harry Potter series. It becomes the fastest-selling book of all time, selling 15 million copies in 24 hours.
July 21
Born on This Day
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Ernest Hemingway
- In these groups:
- Numerous Nuptials
- Imbibers
- Famous Cancerians
Ernest Hemingway
Author / 1899 - 1961
Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway is seen as one of the great American 20th century novelists, and is known for works like A Farewell to Arms and The Old Man and the Sea.
Born: July 21, 1899
Birthplace: Cicero (now in Oak Park), Illinois, United States
Occupation: Author -
Janet Reno
- In these groups:
- Girl Scouts
- Influential Women of Washington
- Famous Cancerians
Janet Reno
Lawyer / 1938 -
Janet Reno broke new ground in 1993 as the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General, serving under President Bill Clinton.
1938 | 74 years old
Lawyer -
Don Knotts
- In these groups:
- Famous Puppeteers
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Actors
Don Knotts
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian / 1924 - 2006
Don Knotts was a comedic actor of film and television known for his roles on TV's The Andy Griffith Show and Three's Company.1924 | 81 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian -
Robin Williams
- In these groups:
- Vegans
- USO Entertainers
- Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winners
Robin Williams
Actor, Comedian / 1951 -
Actor and comedian Robin Williams is known for his fast-paced, improvisational performance style. He performed in films like Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society.
Born: July 21, 1951
Age: 61 years old
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation: Actor, Comedian -
Josh Hartnett
- In these groups:
- Sparks On The Set
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Actors
Josh Hartnett
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1978 -
With a string of big-budget titles to his credit, actor Josh Hartnett has emerged from the crowd of 1990s teen heartthrobs to become a sought after leading man.
1978 | 34 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor -
Cat Stevens
- In these groups:
- Musical Monikers
- Name Changers
- People with Animal Names
Cat Stevens
Songwriter, Singer, Philanthropist / 1948 -
Folk singer Cat Stevens wrote the song "The First Cut is the Deepest" in the '60s. Since then it has become a hit for four different artists.1948 | 64 years old
Songwriter, Singer, Philanthropist
July 21
Died on This Day
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Alan Shepard
- In these groups:
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Astronauts
- Famous People Named Alan
Alan Shepard
Astronaut, Entrepreneur / 1923 - 1998
Alan Shepard became one of the original seven Mercury program astronauts in 1959. He later commanded the Apollo 14 flight.
Died: July 21, 1998
Age: 74 years old
Place: Monterey, California , United States
Occupation: Astronaut, Entrepreneur -
Robert Burns
- In these groups:
- Famous Scottish People
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous People Named Robert
Robert Burns
Folk Hero, Poet / 1759 - 1796
Poet Robert Burns is considered one of the most famous characters of Scotland's cultural history. He is best known as a pioneer of the Romantic movement.
1796 | 37 years old
Folk Hero, Poet -
Robert Ingersoll
- In these groups:
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Leos
- Famous People Named Robert
Robert Ingersoll
Political Leader / 1833 - 1899
Robert Ingersoll was an American politician and orator best known as "the great agnostic" who popularized criticism of the Bible and scientific rationalism.
1899 | 65 years old
Political Leader
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profile name: Janet Reno profile occupation: Lawyer
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profile name: Don Knotts profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian
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profile name: Robin Williams profile occupation: Actor, Comedian
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profile name: Josh Hartnett profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor
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profile name: Cat Stevens profile occupation: Songwriter, Singer, Philanthropist
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profile name: Alan Shepard profile occupation: Astronaut, Entrepreneur
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profile name: Robert Burns profile occupation: Folk Hero, Poet
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profile name: Robert Ingersoll profile occupation: Political Leader
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profile name: John Scopes profile occupation: Educator
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profile name: Gus Grissom profile occupation: Astronaut
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profile name: Madonna profile occupation: Singer
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profile name: J.K. Rowling profile occupation: Author
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profile name: Jesse James profile occupation: Murderer
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profile name: Adolf Hitler profile occupation: Dictator
profile id: 9464240
profile name: Diana Ross profile occupation: Singer
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profile name: Wayne Gretzky profile occupation: Hockey Player
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profile name: Albert Brooks profile occupation: Television Actor
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profile name: Philip Seymour Hoffman profile occupation: Television Actor
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profile name: Cootie Williams profile occupation: Trumpet Player
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profile name: Thomas Eakins profile occupation: Sculptor
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June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived


