February 21

Events - Sports

1896day.year

An Englishman raised in Australia, Bob Fitzsimmons, fought an Irishman, Peter Maher, in an American promoted event which technically took place in Mexico, winning the 1896 World Heavyweight Championship in boxing.

Bob Fitzsimmons defeats Peter Maher in Mexico to claim the 1896 World Heavyweight Boxing Championship.
On February 21, 1896, Bob Fitzsimmons, an English-born boxer raised in Australia, faced Peter Maher in a bout organized near Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Fitzsimmons knocked out Maher in the fifth round, becoming the first boxer to win the heavyweight title from the light heavyweight class. The match was promoted by Joe Goss and staged across the border due to legal restrictions in the United States. Fitzsimmons’s victory marked a turning point in boxing history, showcasing his powerful 'solar plexus punch.' He went on to defend his title against notable challengers, solidifying his place as one of the sport’s early legends.
1896 Bob Fitzsimmons Peter Maher 1896 World Heavyweight Championship boxing
1948day.year

NASCAR is incorporated.

NASCAR was incorporated in 1948, standardizing stock car racing rules and launching a new era in American motorsports.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) was officially incorporated on February 21, 1948. Founded by Bill France Sr., the organization standardized rules and safety measures for stock car racing. It organized regional events and promoted drivers, transforming a grassroots sport. NASCAR grew into one of America's leading motorsports bodies. Its championship series remains a major fixture in professional racing.
1948 NASCAR
1995day.year

Steve Fossett lands in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.

Adventurer Steve Fossett completes the first solo trans-Pacific balloon flight, landing safely in Saskatchewan, Canada.
On February 21, 1995, American aviator Steve Fossett achieved a historic solo balloon crossing of the Pacific Ocean, touching down near Leader, Saskatchewan. Departing from Japan, Fossett navigated more than 6,000 miles over challenging weather and vast ocean, relying on precise ballast management and meteorological planning. The journey took over six days and tested the limits of endurance, as he battled extreme cold and sleep deprivation. His successful landing marked a milestone in aviation and set new standards for long-distance ballooning records. Fossett’s achievement inspired subsequent aeronautical expeditions and underscored human potential for exploration. The flight remains a celebrated chapter in the history of adventure sports and non-powered flight.
1995 Steve Fossett Leader, Saskatchewan balloon