July 21
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Albert John Luthuli(Episcopal Church), Arbogast, Barhadbesciabas, Carlos of Brazil(Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church), Daniel(Catholic Church), Lawrence of Brindisi, Praxedes, Victor of Marseilles, July 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian liturgical observance commemorating a range of saints and martyrs across Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
Liberation Dayin 1944 (Guam)
Commemorates the liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation by American forces during World War II.
Belgian National Day(Belgium)
Belgium’s national holiday celebrating the accession of its first monarch and the founding of the kingdom in 1831.
Racial Harmony Day(Singapore)
An annual observance in Singapore promoting mutual understanding and respect among the nation’s diverse racial communities.
SummerKazanskaya(Russia)
The Russian Orthodox feast day honoring the icon of Our Lady of Kazan and its summer celebration.
Albert John Luthuli(Episcopal Church)
A feast day in the Episcopal Church honoring Albert John Luthuli, South African Nobel Peace Prize laureate and anti-apartheid leader.
Arbogast
The feast day of Saint Arbogast, the 7th-century bishop celebrated for his missionary work in the Alsace region.
Barhadbesciabas
Carlos of Brazil(Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church)
Events
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is destroyed by arson.
On July 21, 356 BC, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was deliberately set ablaze, destroying one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Pope Pontian succeeds Urban I as the eighteenth pope. After being exiled to Sardinia, he became the first pope to resign his office.
Pope Pontian ascended to the papacy and, after exile to Sardinia, became the first pope in history to resign his office.
Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar and co-ruler.
Emperor Diocletian names Maximian as Caesar, inaugurating a shared imperial rule to better manage the Roman Empire.
The 365 Crete earthquake affected the Greek island of Crete with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), causing a destructive tsunami that affects the coasts of Libya and Egypt, especially Alexandria. Many thousands are killed.
A massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami strike Crete and the shores of Libya and Egypt, killing thousands and devastating Alexandria.
King Berengar I of Italy and a hired Hungarian army defeats the Frankish forces at Verona. King Louis III is captured and blinded for breaking his oath (see 902).
King Berengar I of Italy, aided by Hungarian mercenaries, defeats the Frankish army at Verona and captures King Louis III.
Battle of Taillebourg: Louis IX of France puts an end to the revolt of his vassals Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan.
King Louis IX of France defeats rebel forces led by Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan at the Battle of Taillebourg.
Battle of Shrewsbury: King Henry IV of England defeats rebels to the north of the county town of Shropshire, England.
King Henry IV of England defeats rebel forces led by Hotspur at the Battle of Shrewsbury, consolidating his rule.
The first landing of French troops on the coast of the Isle of Wight during the French invasion of the Isle of Wight.
French forces make their first landing on the Isle of Wight during an invasion of southern England under Henry VIII.
Eighty Years' War: Battle of Jemmingen: Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva defeats Louis of Nassau.
Spanish forces under the Duke of Alva crush Louis of Nassau’s troops at the Battle of Jemmingen in the Eighty Years' War.
Births
Emperor Wen of Sui
Emperor of the Sui dynasty who unified China after centuries of division.
Kyansittha
King of the Pagan Dynasty who strengthened and expanded the Burmese kingdom.
Head of the Catholic Church from 1471 to 1484, known for his patronage of Renaissance art and architecture.
Queen Jeonghyeon
Queen consort of the Joseon dynasty known for her political influence and cultural patronage.
Alfonso I d'Este
Duke of Ferrara celebrated for his patronage of the arts and military leadership in Renaissance Italy.
Anna Sforza
Italian noblewoman of the powerful Sforza family known for her marriage alliances in Renaissance Italy.
García Hurtado de Mendoza
Spanish nobleman, military commander, and Governor of Chile noted for his campaigns against the Mapuche.
Anna de' Medici
Italian noblewoman from the Medici dynasty who became Archduchess of Austria through marriage.
Jean Picard
French astronomer who made the first precise measurement of the Earth's size.
Deaths
K'an II
K'an II was a Maya ruler of Copán who reigned from 618 to 658, overseeing significant building projects and artistic achievements.
Li Guo'er
Li Guo'er, also known as Princess Anle, was a Tang dynasty princess noted for her influence at court and controversial ambition.
Wei
Empress Wei was the consort of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang who wielded substantial political power and attempted to seize the throne.
Shangguan Wan'er
Shangguan Wan'er was a celebrated Tang dynasty poet and imperial secretary known for her literary talent and political skill.
Geoffrey I
Geoffrey I Greymantle was the Count of Anjou who strengthened his territories and laid the groundwork for the Angevin dynasty.
Gojong was the 23rd king of the Korean Goryeo dynasty who led his kingdom through the challenges of the Mongol invasions.
Henry Percy
Henry Percy, known as ‘Hotspur,’ was an English nobleman and military commander famed for his valor and his rebellion against King Henry IV.
Sir Walter Blount
Sir Walter Blount was an English knight and loyal standard-bearer to King Henry IV who fell at the Battle of Shrewsbury.
Edmund Stafford
Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford, was an English nobleman and soldier who died leading his troops at the Battle of Shrewsbury.