Last Updated: August 21, 2026
Today in History – August 21 is a calendar date marked by significant geopolitical shifts, scientific advancements, and cultural milestones across India and the globe. From Hawaii becoming the 50th US state to the birth of pioneering scientists and track legends, this day holds immense importance in the history.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on August 21
- Famous personalities born on August 21
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of August 21
- The Theft of Mona Lisa (1911): Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic masterpiece was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris, sparking a worldwide media phenomenon.
- Hawaii Becomes 50th US State (1959): U.S. President Eisenhower signed the executive order officially admitting Hawaii as the 50th state of the United States.
- Birth of Usain Bolt (1986): Celebrating the birthday of the legendary Jamaican sprinter, 8-time Olympic gold medalist, and the world’s fastest human.
- Global Observances: World Senior Citizens Day and the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism are observed on this date.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on August 21
1911 – The Mona Lisa Stolen from the Louvre Museum
Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting Mona Lisa, was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris by an employee named Vincenzo Peruggia. It was recovered two years later in Italy. The incident dramatically increased the painting’s global fame.
1959 – Hawaii Admitted as the 50th US State
US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state of the United States. It completed the current political structure of the US states and added a strategically vital Pacific territory.
1983 – Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. in the Philippines
Filipino opposition leader Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. was assassinated at Manila International Airport upon returning from exile. His assassination galvanized public anger, leading to the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
1991 – Latvia Declares Full Independence from the Soviet Union
Amid the failing Soviet coup attempt in Moscow, Latvia officially restored its full independence from the USSR. This accelerated the dissolution of the Soviet Union and restored sovereignty to the Baltic states.
Other Major Events
- 1831: Nat Turner led a major slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, USA.
- 1957: The Soviet Union successfully test-fired the R-7 Semyorka, the world’s first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
- 1972: The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 was passed by the Parliament of India to protect wild animals and plants.
- 2017: The “Great American Eclipse,” a total solar eclipse, swept across the United States.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on August 21
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1165 | Philip II of France | King of France who ruled from 1180 to 1223. |
| 1765 | William IV | King of the United Kingdom. |
| 1912 | Brahm Prakash | Eminent Indian metallurgist, 1st Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Padma Bhushan recipient. |
| 1921 | Bhimreddy Satyanarayana Reddy | Freedom fighter, Telangana/Nizam liberation movement leader, former Governor of UP. |
| 1940 | K. Lakshma Goud | Internationally acclaimed Indian painter, sculptor, and Padma Shri recipient. |
| 1952 | Gautam Radhakrishna Desiraju | Distinguished Indian chemist known for contributions to Crystal Engineering. |
| 1963 | Radhika Sarathkumar | Acclaimed South Indian film actress, television producer, and politician. |
| 1978 | Bhumika Chawla | Indian film actress known for her roles in Kushi and Tere Naam. |
📌 Other Notable Birthdays: Sergey Brin (1973) – American computer scientist and co-founder of Google, Usain Bolt (1986) – Jamaican sprinter, 8-time Olympic gold medalist, and world record holder, Sana Khan (1988) – Former Indian actress and model, and Dimple Hayathi (1998) – Indian film actress active in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on August 21
- 1940 – Leon Trotsky: Russian Marxist revolutionary and theorist who created the Red Army. Assassinated in Mexico on Stalin’s orders. Key figure in the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution alongside Vladimir Lenin.
- 1978 – Vinoo Mankad: Legendary Indian cricketer and all-rounder who represented India in 44 Test matches. The method of running out a non-striker backing up too far was named ‘Mankading’ after him.
- 2013 – Malati Chandur: Renowned Telugu novelist, columnist, translator, and Sahitya Akademi Award winner. Penned a popular weekly column in Andhra Prabha for over four decades, setting a literary record.
- 1995 – Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar: Indian-American astrophysicist awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics for his theoretical studies on stellar evolution. Discovered the ‘Chandrasekhar Limit’, the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star.
📌 Other Demises: Henrik Pontoppidan (1943) – Danish realist writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate (1917), and Ustad Bismillah Khan (2006) – Legendary Shehnai maestro and Bharat Ratna recipient.
📢 National & International Days Observed on August 21
- World Senior Citizens Day: Officially established in 1988 by US President Ronald Reagan. To recognize the contributions of older adults to society and raise awareness about issues affecting senior citizens’ health and well-being.
- World Entrepreneurs’ Day: Observed globally to foster innovation, business leadership, and start-up ecosystems. To honor the founders, innovators, and business leaders who drive economic growth and employment.
- International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism: Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 via Resolution 72/165. To honor, support, and pay tribute to victims and survivors of terrorism globally and promote human rights.
💡Did You Know?
- Origin of ‘Mankading’: During India’s tour of Australia in 1947, Vinoo Mankad ran out Bill Brown at the non-striker’s end for leaving his crease before the ball was delivered. The run-out style was subsequently coined ‘Mankading’.
- Recovery of Mona Lisa: The Mona Lisa was missing for 28 months until the thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, was caught trying to sell it to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
- Usain Bolt’s Lightning Speed: Usain Bolt still holds the world record for the 100-meter dash at 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Which important UN day is observed annually on August 21?
Ans: The United Nations observes the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism on August 21.
Q2: Who was the first Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)?
Ans: Dr. Brahm Prakash, an eminent metallurgist and Padma Bhushan awardee, born on August 21, 1912.
Q3: Which famous Indian cricketer gave rise to the term ‘Mankading’ in cricket?
Ans: Former Indian Test all-rounder Vinoo Mankad, who passed away on August 21, 1978.
Q4: When was Hawaii officially admitted as the 50th state of the USA?
Ans: Hawaii was officially admitted on August 21, 1959, under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Q5: What is the ‘Chandrasekhar Limit’ and who discovered it?
Ans: The Chandrasekhar Limit (1.44 solar masses) is the maximum mass limit for a stable white dwarf star, discovered by Nobel Laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (died August 21, 1995).
Q6: In which year was the Mona Lisa stolen from the Louvre Museum?
Ans: The painting was stolen on August 21, 1911.
Q7: Which Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Telugu writer holds a record for running a weekly column for over 40 years?
Ans: Malati Chandur, who passed away on August 21, 2013.
Q8: When was the Wildlife Protection Act passed in India?
Ans: The Wildlife Protection Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1972.
Q9. When is World Senior Citizens Day observed?
Ans: It is observed every year on August 21.
Q10. Latvia declared independence from which country in 1991?
Ans: Latvia declared independence from the Soviet Union.
Q11. Which country did Usain Bolt represent?
Ans: Usain Bolt represented Jamaica.