All Events

Historical Events on April 21

  • Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke

    1782

    The city of Rattanakosin, now known internationally as Bangkok, is founded on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.

  • Wahhabi sack of Karbala

    1802

    Twelve thousand Wahhabis under Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad, invaded city of Karbala, killed over three thousand inhabitants, and sacked the city.

  • Spanish-American War

    1898

    Spanish-American War: The United States Navy begins a blockade of Cuban ports. When the U.S. Congress issued a declaration of war on April 25, it declared that a state of war had existed from this date.

  • Manfred von Richthofen

    1918

    World War I: German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, better known as "The Red Baron", is shot down and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme in France.

  • Oberkommando der Wehrmacht

    1945

    World War II: Soviet forces south of Berlin at Zossen attack the German High Command headquarters.

  • Rio de Janeiro

    1960

    Brasília, Brazil's capital, is officially inaugurated. At 09:30, the Three Powers of the Republic are simultaneously transferred from the old capital, Rio de Janeiro.

  • Nguyễn Văn Thiệu

    1975

    Vietnam War: President of South Vietnam Nguyễn Văn Thiệu flees Saigon, as Xuân Lộc, the last South Vietnamese outpost blocking a direct North Vietnamese assault on Saigon, falls.

  • Tiananmen Square protests of 1989

    1989

    Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Yaobang.

  • Flint water crisis

    2014

    The American city of Flint, Michigan switches its water source to the Flint River, beginning the ongoing Flint water crisis which has caused lead poisoning in up to 12,000 people, and 15 deaths from Legionnaires disease, ultimately leading to criminal indictments against 15 people, five of whom have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on April 21

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on April 21

20. April

22. April