MAY 21 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on May 21
John C. Allen
Died: August 17, 1979
Roller coaster designer who was responsible for the revival of wooden roller coasters in the 1960s
John Curtis Gowan
Died: December 2, 1986
Psychologist whose studies of gifted children were the foundation of analysis of highly intelligent adolescence.
Forrest White
Died: November 22, 1994
Co-founder of the Music Man Company and known for his association with Fender Musical Instrument Corporation.
Bettye Danoff
Died: December 22, 2011
Professional golfer and a co-founder of the LPGA Tour.
Mr. T
Actor and retired professional wrestler The A-Team and Clubber Lang in film Rocky III.
Stan Lynch
Original drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Died: March 9, 1997
Also known as Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G. an American rapper and songwriter. He's widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time with his vivid storytelling, sharp lyrics, and effortless flow.
Glenn Hammond Curtiss
Died: July 23, 1930
Founder of the U.S. aviation industry and inventor of the hydroplane.
Ella Stewart Udall
Died: May 27, 1937
The first telegraphist in Arizona territory.
Historical Events on May 21
Events that occurred on May 21 throughout history
The first bicycles are introduced in the U.S.
The first bicycles, called swift walkers, are introduced in the U.S. . The bicycles were pedal-less, requiring riders to move quickly by pushing their feet against the ground.
The first 1st steamship arrives in Hawaii
The first 1st steamship, The Cormorant, arrives in Honolulu, Hawaii. The steamship allowed for regular, faster service for cargo, mail, and travelers, fostering the development of "Boat Days" in Honolulu, where crowds gathered for arrivals.
Richmond, Virginia, is designated the Confederate Capital.
The Confederate Capital is moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia.
The U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association is established.
The U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association is established in NYC, New York, to regulate the growing game of lawn tennis in the U.S. and organize formal championships. Today, the organization is know as the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) and governing body for tennis and runs the U.S. Open.
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. to provide disaster relief and emergency aid in peacetime, not just war.
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde premieres in Chicago.
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde premieres in Chicago and becomes the first horror movie in the U.S.
Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI.
Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI shortly after the U.S. declared war and enacted the Selective Service Act of 1917.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote. While the 19th Amendment legally barred states from denying the vote based on sex, millions of women of color, particularly in the South, continued to face discriminatory voting restrictions for decades until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Oskaloosa, Iowa, becomes the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint its citizens.
Oskaloosa, Iowa, becomes the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint its citizens. The bill was aimed at identifying kidnapped children and stopping criminals during the Great Depression.
Jean Marie Butler becomes the first woman to graduate from U.S. Coast Guard.
Jean Marie Butler becomes the first woman to graduate from U.S. Coast Guard. She was also the first woman to graduate from any U.S. armed forces service academy.
Johnny Carson hosts his last episode of the Tonight Show after 30 seasons.
Johnny Carson hosts his last episode of the Tonight Show after 30 seasons. Over 50 million people tuned it to watch the episode. No guests were on the final show, instead focusing on highlights from 4,531 episodes.
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, opens opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, opens opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The roller coaster was officially closed on November 10, 2024.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The circus started in 1919 when the Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth.
Washington is the first state to legalize human composting.
Washington state becomes the first state to legalize human composting. The process involves placing a body in a vessel with materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw to break down into nutrient-rich soil. The soil produced can be returned to families for use in planting trees, flowers, or for conservation efforts, providing a way to return nutrients back to the land.