This Day in History on 21st May

The historical events hold a lot of value for aspirants who are sitting for UPSC competitive exams including the IAS Exam. 

On this page, we will list all historical events that occurred on 21st May. The students can refer to them while preparing for all competitive exams and banking exams.

Important Days

World Anti-Terrorism Day

World Anti-Terrorism Day

  • International Tea Day
  • Independence Day celebrates the Montenegrin independence referendum in 2006, celebrated the next day. (Montenegro)
  • Navy Day (Chile)
  • World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (International)

Important Events

1819: Bicycle was first seen in New York City, USA.

Sushmita Sen (Miss India)
Sushmita Sen (Miss India)

1855: Rani Rasmoni was consecrated at Bhabatarini Kali Temple of Dakhineswar.

1881: American Red Cross was established in Washington, D.C.

1904: The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was established in Paris.

1923: Keshavrao Kothavle `Lalit’, editor of monthly magazine, was born.

1927: Cargo Transportation service started between Calcutta and Bagdogra.

1927: Charles Lindberg completed the world’s first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

1929: India’s first air cargo service commenced between Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Bagdogra.

1932: Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean alone.

1938: A raid of nationalists on salt works in Dharasana results in 630 casualties and the arrest of Mrs. Naidy, leader of the civil disobedience campaign.

1935: Quetta earthquake takes a heavy toll of life.

1966: General Election (11th) of India ends.

1975: The 26-mile feeder canal from Farakka to the Bhagirathi river was dedicated to the nation.

1984: Army moves in after 114 die in religious strife at Bomay.

1990: PM V. P. Singh clears the Rs. 13,000 crore Sardar Sarovar Project over the river Narmada.

1991: Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Madras (now Chennai).

1992: China successfully tested a 1,000-kiloton atomic bomb. It is the most powerful nuclear explosion in the world.

1994: Sushmita Sen (Miss India), 18, was crowned the 43rd Miss Universe.

1994: The Union Government imposes a blanket ban on capitation fees for admission to private professional colleges.

1996: General Election (11th) of India ended.

1996: M.S. Sushama Dande (Shiv Sena) was elected the first woman mayor of New Mumbai along with Savitri Patil (Shiv Sena) as Deputy Mayor.

1998: India declares a moratorium on nuclear testing.

Birthday / Anniversary

1835: Biharilal Chakravorty, the Bengali poet, was born.

1916: Harold Robbins, an American author of popular novels.

1923: Armand Borel, a Swiss mathematician.

1923: Keshavrao Kothavle `Lalit’, editor of the monthly magazine, was born.

1931: Sharad Joshi, a Hindi poet, and writer.

1958: Naeem Khan, Indian-American fashion designer

1960: Mohanlal, an Indian actor, producer, playback singer, distributor, and philanthropist.

1971: Aditya Chopra is an Indian filmmaker.

Death / Death Anniversary

Rajiv Gandhi, Indian Prime Minster
Rajiv Gandhi, Indian Prime Minster

1509: Henry VII, the King of England and Lord of Ireland.

1973: Mohan Kumarmangalam, Central Minister, passed away in an air crash near Delhi.

1979: Janaki Devi Bajaj, an Indian independence activist.

1686: Otto von Guericke, a German scientist, inventor, and politician.

1990: Moelvi Muhammad Farouk, the great Indian spiritual leader, was murdered.

1991: Rajiv Gandhi, Indian Prime Minster (1984-91), was assassinated by a human bomb explosion plotted by LTTE at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, 40 km from Madras, at 10.20 P.M.

1992: Manohar J.Pherwani, 58, Chairman of the National Housing Bank, died. 

2000: Mark R. Hughes, an American businessman.

Further Reading

Month-wise This Day in History

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