Tiananmen Square protests began when 100,000 students gathered in Beijing
MajorStudents marched to commemorate the death of reformist leader Hu Yaobang, transforming his funeral into a pro-democracy movement. The peaceful demonst...
April 21 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
1989
1975
South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned on live television
In an emotional 90-minute speech, Thieu blamed the United States for abandoning South Vietnam and wept as he announced his resignation. He accused Pre...
1967
A military coup overthrew Greece's government, beginning seven years of dictatorship
A group of right-wing army colonels seized power in a pre-dawn coup, suspending civil liberties and establishing military rule. The regime banned long...
1960
Brasília was officially inaugurated as Brazil's new capital city
The futuristic city, built from scratch in just 41 months in the middle of the Brazilian highlands, replaced Rio de Janeiro as the capital. Designed b...
1934
The 'Surgeon's Photograph' of the Loch Ness Monster was published, later revealed as a hoax
The iconic image showing a long-necked creature in Scottish waters became the most famous evidence of 'Nessie.' In 1994, a deathbed confession reveale...
1926
Queen Elizabeth II was born in London as Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
MajorBorn at 2:40 am at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, she was not expected to become queen until her uncle Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. She would go on to...
1898
Spain declared war on the United States one day before the U.S. declared war on Spain
MajorIn an odd twist of diplomatic timing, Spain technically declared war first, though the U.S. Congress had already voted for war and dated their declara...
1856
A freight train crossed the first bridge spanning the Mississippi River
The Rock Island Railroad bridge connected Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa, marking a major expansion of westward rail travel. Just 15 days la...
1828
Noah Webster published his groundbreaking American Dictionary of the English Language
After 27 years of work, Webster's dictionary contained 70,000 words and established American spellings like 'color' instead of 'colour' and 'center' i...
1789
John Adams was sworn in as the first Vice President of the United States
Adams took the oath of office in New York City, eight days before George Washington's inauguration as President. He later described the vice presidenc...
1649
The Maryland Toleration Act was passed, granting religious freedom to all Christians
This groundbreaking colonial law protected Catholics and Protestants alike from religious persecution in Maryland. It was one of the first laws establ...
1509
Henry VIII ascended to the English throne at age 17
MajorThe young prince became king following his father Henry VII's death, inheriting a stable kingdom and full treasury. He would go on to marry six times,...
753
Romulus founded the city of Rome according to Roman mythology
MajorAccording to ancient Roman tradition, Romulus plowed a sacred furrow to mark the boundaries of Rome on this date. He would later kill his twin brother...