May 21

Daniel Defoe, famed author of Robinson Crusoe, penned a satirical pamphlet that angered the English government. His work The Shortest Way with the Dissenters led to charges of seditious libel and his arrest. He was tried in the Court of Queen's Bench, fined £200, and sentenced to a year in Newgate Prison with a standing pillory sentence. This landmark case underscored the precarious balance between governmental authority and rising public discourse. Despite the punishment, Defoe's resilience solidified his legacy as a pioneer of journalism and political commentary.

On May 21, 1925, Ferruccio Busoni's masterwork 'Doktor Faust' received its world premiere in Dresden, eight years after the composer's death. Busoni had left the opera unfinished, and it was completed by his student Philipp Jarnach based on the composer's sketches. The work offered a modern take on the Faust legend, blending late-Romantic orchestration with experimental harmonic language. Its premiere was hailed as a landmark event in early 20th-century opera, attracting audiences intrigued by its innovative score. Critics praised its dramatic depth and complex musical textures, marking it as Busoni's most significant contribution to the operatic repertoire. The success of 'Doktor Faust' helped secure Busoni's posthumous reputation as a forward-thinking composer.

The Ninth Street Show, also called the 9th Street Art Exhibition, opened on May 21, 1951 in downtown Manhattan. Organized by art dealer Leo Castelli, it featured over 60 artists of the emerging New York avant-garde. Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, and other Abstract Expressionists showcased large-scale, emotive canvases. The unorthodox exhibition in a bare gallery space symbolized a break from European traditions. It solidified New York City's status as the new center of the art world and launched many artists’ careers. This landmark event remains celebrated for its innovation and collaborative spirit.

On May 21, 1972, Laszlo Toth, suffering from mental illness, shouted “I am Jesus Christ” and struck the Pietà with a hammer. The 500-year-old masterpiece lost part of the Virgin Mary’s arm and nose in the attack. Vatican authorities promptly recovered the fragments and undertook a meticulous six-month restoration. The incident prompted new security measures in St. Peter’s Basilica to protect priceless artworks. Michelangelo’s Pietà, carved in 1498–1499, remains a highlight of Renaissance sculpture. The event underscored the vulnerability of cultural heritage to acts of vandalism.

On May 21, 1992, Johnny Carson aired his penultimate episode of The Tonight Show, with comedy icon Robin Williams and singer-actress Bette Midler as guests. After thirty seasons at the helm, Carson was preparing to step aside, and this broadcast was his final show featuring celebrity interviews. The episode blended Carson’s trademark humor with Williams’s energetic improvisation and Midler’s musical performance. Fans tuned in to witness the end of an era in late-night television and to celebrate Carson’s lasting impact on American pop culture. His departure marked the close of a chapter in TV history that he had dominated since the 1960s.

Known as the 'Greatest Show on Earth,' the circus debuted in 1871 and became an iconic American institution. Declining ticket sales and animal welfare controversies contributed to its closure. The final performance at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum marked the end of a historic entertainment era. Performers, animals, and staff took a final bow, closing a chapter in live performance history. The organization cited changing public tastes and operational costs for discontinuing the show.