On This Day - March 21, 2026

National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for March 21, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.

2026

Ongoing National Months

These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.

Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for March.

Global Observances

International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).

Historical Events on March 21

Events that occurred on March 21 throughout history

1917

The first active-duty Navy woman, Loretta Walsh receives the rank of petty officer. She's the first woman enlisted in the United States Armed Forces in a non-nurse capacity.

1963

The Federal Bureau of Prisons closes Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary located on an island off the coast of San Francisco, California. The maximum-security prison is also known as The Rock housed some of the country's most notorious criminals including Al Capone, Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Alvin Karpis.

1970

The Mayor of San Francisco, Joseph Alioto proclaims the first Earth Day.

1980

Someone shoots J.R. on the popular television series Dallas.

2006

Jack Dorsey, one of Twitter's cofounders, sent the first public tweet. It read, "just setting up my twttr."