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.
November 21
Events on This Day
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1877
136 years agoThomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph, the first device capable of both recording and reproducing sound.
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1934
79 years agoA teenage Ella Fitzgerald wins Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater, and her singing career takes off.
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1986
27 years agoOliver North shreds documents related to his participation in the Iran-Contra scandal.
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2007
6 years agoEnchanted opens in theaters. The film stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey and Susan Sarandon. It both spoofs and celebrates the fairy-tale genre.
November 21
Born on This Day
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Goldie HawnGoldie Hawn
Actress / 1945 -
Goldie Hawn began her career as a dancer, but switched to acting on television and then film. She won an Academy Award for her performance in Cactus Flower, and later received an Oscar nomination for Private Benjamin.
Born: November 21, 1945
Age: 67 years old
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Occupation: Actress -
Lorna Luft
- In these groups:
- Studio 54 Patrons
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Actresses
Lorna Luft
Actress / 1952 -
Lorna Luft is an actress and singer known for both TV and film roles as well as for being the daughter of Judy Garland.
1952 | 60 years old
Actress -
Voltaire
- In these groups:
- Name Changers
- Famous Academics
- Famous Historians
Voltaire
Historian, Philosopher, Writer / 1694 - 1778
Author Voltaire wrote the satirical novella Candide and, despite controversy during his lifetime, is widely considered one of France's greatest Enlightenment writers.
1694 | 83 years old
Historian, Philosopher, Writer -
Ken Griffey, Jr.
- In these groups:
- Famous Black Athletes
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Baseball Players
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Baseball Player / 1969 -
American professional baseball player Ken Griffey, Jr. was a dominant power hitter of the 1990s and ranked among the best defensive outfielders of all time.
Born: November 21, 1969
Age: 43 years old
Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation: Baseball Player -
Marlo Thomas
- In these groups:
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Actresses
- Famous Television Actresses
Marlo Thomas
Television Actress / 1937 -
Actress Marlo Thomas starred on the 1970s television hits That Girl and Free to Be...You and Me. She is married to Phil Donahue.
1937 | 75 years old
Television Actress -
Björk
- In these groups:
- Olympic Opening Ceremony Performers
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Singers
Björk
Singer / 1965 -
Björk is an Icelandic singer and founding member of the band The Sugarcubes. She went on to a strong solo career and acting success.
1965 | 47 years old
Singer
November 21
Died on This Day
-
Florence Harding
- In these groups:
- Influential Women of Washington
- U.S. First Ladies
- Famous Leos
Florence Harding
U.S. First Lady / 1860 - 1924
American first lady Florence Harding was the wife of Warren G. Harding. She helped with his press relations during his candidacy and presidency.Died: November 21, 1924
Age: 64 years old
Place: Marion, Ohio , United States
Occupation: U.S. First Lady -
Quentin Crisp
- In these groups:
- Studio 54 Patrons
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous People Born in 1908
Quentin Crisp
Writer / 1908 - 1999
Quentin Crisp became a gay icon in the 1970s after publication of his memoir, The Naked Civil Servant, describing his life in homophobic British Society.
1999 | 90 years old
Writer -
Bill Bixby
- In these groups:
- Onscreen Superheroes
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous Actors
Bill Bixby
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1934 - 1993
Bill Bixby, American actor, was best known for his role as The Incredible Hulk on television.
1993 | 59 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor
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Play Nowprofile name: Goldie Hawn profile occupation: Actress
profile id: 307310
profile name: Lorna Luft profile occupation: Actress
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profile name: Voltaire profile occupation: Historian, Philosopher, Writer
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profile name: Ken Griffey, Jr. profile occupation: Baseball Player
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profile name: Marlo Thomas profile occupation: Television Actress
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profile name: Björk profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9328312
profile name: Florence Harding profile occupation: U.S. First Lady
profile id: 251028
profile name: Quentin Crisp profile occupation: Writer
profile id: 9542610
profile name: Bill Bixby profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor
profile id: 9284349
profile name: Thomas Edison profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 9296210
profile name: Ella Fitzgerald profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9425102
profile name: Oliver North profile occupation: Government Official
profile id: 20883223
profile name: Amy Adams profile occupation: Actress
profile id: 201303
profile name: Patrick Dempsey profile occupation: Actor
profile id: 9471729
profile name: Susan Sarandon profile occupation: Film Actress
profile id: 9444679
profile name: Cole Porter profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9406489
profile name: Ethel Merman profile occupation: Theater Actress
profile id: 16717609
profile name: Eddie Murray profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 595780
profile name: Larry Hagman profile occupation: Television Producer
profile id: 38429
profile name: René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle profile occupation: Explorer
profile id: 40371
profile name: Johannes Diederik van der Waals profile occupation: Physicist
profile id: 38322
profile name: Charles XI profile occupation: Royalty
profile id: 207490
profile name: Amy Grant profile occupation: Songwriter
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