August 21
Overview
Holidays & Observances
ChristianFeast Day:
Abraham of Smolensk(Eastern Orthodox Church), Euprepius of Verona, Maximilian of Antioch, Our Lady of Knock, Pope Pius X, Sidonius Apollinaris, August 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collection of Eastern Orthodox feast days honoring saints and Marian devotions observed on August 21.
Ninoy Aquino Day(Philippines)
A national holiday in the Philippines honoring the life and legacy of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
Youth Day(Morocco)
A national holiday in Morocco celebrating the energy, achievements, and potential of the country's youth.
World Senior Citizen's Day
A day dedicated to honoring and celebrating the contributions of senior citizens worldwide.
Abraham of Smolensk(Eastern Orthodox Church)
Feast day of Saint Abraham of Smolensk, an Orthodox monk and wonderworker from 12th-century Russia.
Euprepius of Verona
Feast day of Saint Euprepius of Verona, traditionally the city's first bishop from the 1st century.
Maximilian of Antioch
Feast day of Saint Maximilian of Antioch, an early Christian martyr of the 3rd century.
Our Lady of Knock
Commemoration of the 1879 apparition of the Virgin Mary at Knock, Ireland.
Pope Pius X
Feast day of Pope Saint Pius X, head of the Catholic Church from 1903 to 1914.
Events
Eraclus becomes the 25th bishop of Liège.
In 959, Eraclus is appointed the 25th bishop of Liège, assuming leadership of a key medieval diocese.
Song dynasty general Yue Fei defeats an army led by Jin dynasty general Wuzhu at the Battle of Yancheng during the Jin–Song Wars.
During the Jin–Song Wars in 1140, Yue Fei achieves a decisive victory over Jin forces at the Battle of Yancheng.
Battle of the Blacks: Uprising by the black African forces of the Fatimid army, along with a number of Egyptian emirs and commoners, against Saladin.
In 1169, black African regiments and Egyptian factions in the Fatimid army rebel against Saladin in the Battle of the Blacks.
Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes Sei-i Taishōgun and the de facto ruler of Japan. (Traditional Japanese date: the 12th day of the seventh month in the third year of the Kenkyū (建久) era).
In 1192, Minamoto no Yoritomo is named Sei-i Taishōgun, establishing the first shogunate and ruling Japan de facto.
King Stefan Uroš III, after months of anarchy, surrenders to his son and rival Stefan Dušan, who succeeds as King of Serbia.
After months of civil strife in 1331, King Stefan Uroš III surrenders to his son Stefan Dušan, who becomes King of Serbia.
Henry the Navigator leads Portuguese forces to victory over the Marinids at the Conquest of Ceuta.
In 1415, Prince Henry the Navigator commands Portuguese troops in the successful Conquest of Ceuta, marking Portugal's first overseas expansion.
Pueblo Indians capture Santa Fe from the Spanish during the Pueblo Revolt.
During the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, indigenous Pueblo peoples seize Santa Fe, expelling Spanish colonists from New Mexico.
The Battle of Dunkeld in Scotland.
In 1689, government forces repel Jacobite Highland clans at the Battle of Dunkeld during the first Jacobite Rising.
Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War: The arrival of naval reinforcements and the news of the Battle of Petrovaradin force the Ottomans to abandon the Siege of Corfu, thus preserving the Ionian Islands under Venetian rule.
In 1716, Ottoman forces lift the Siege of Corfu after Venetian reinforcements arrive and news of victory at Petrovaradin emerges.
Births
King of France from 1180 to 1223 who expanded royal territory and strengthened the French monarchy.
Jorge de Lencastre
Portuguese nobleman and Duke of Coimbra, a key figure in the early 16th-century court.
Shimazu Yoshihiro
Japanese samurai and general of the Sengoku period known for his tactical prowess.
Muhammad Qadiri
Founder of the Naushahia branch of the Qadri Sufi order, influential in spreading Qadri teachings.
Francis de Sales
Swiss bishop and Catholic saint renowned for his gentle approach to spirituality.
Henri
Huguenot duke and military leader who championed Protestant causes in early 17th-century France.
Roger Twysden
English historian, antiquarian, and politician prominent in the 17th century.
John Claypole
English politician and son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell who held office during the Protectorate.
King of Portugal from 1656 to 1683 whose reign was marked by political turmoil and regency.
Deaths
7th-century Japanese emperor who reigned briefly in 672.
Alberic
8th-century Archbishop of Utrecht who strengthened the early medieval church in the Low Countries.
Tang Daoxi
Chinese general and political figure active in the late Tang dynasty.
Second Crusader King of Jerusalem who reigned from 1118 to 1131.
William II
12th-century Count of Nevers who joined the Second Crusade.
Medieval Iberian king nicknamed ‘the Emperor’ who ruled León and Castile.
Alexander of Hales
English Franciscan theologian and a pioneer of scholastic philosophy.
Alphonse
French prince and Count of Poitiers, brother of King Louis IX.
Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam
French nobleman and Grand Master who led Rhodes’ defense against the Ottomans.