959day.year
Eraclus becomes the 25th bishop of Liège.
In 959, Eraclus is appointed the 25th bishop of Liège, assuming leadership of a key medieval diocese.
In 959, Eraclus was appointed the 25th bishop of Liège, a key Christian diocese in the Holy Roman Empire.
He assumed responsibility for the diocese, overseeing religious observances, administration, and relations with local rulers.
His leadership helped maintain stability and expand the influence of the church in the Meuse River valley.
Records of his tenure are limited, but he is remembered for strengthening ties between the clergy and nobility.
His appointment marked a chapter in Liège's history as a center of cultural and spiritual life.
959
Eraclus
bishop of Liège
1192day.year
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.
In 1192, the Heian court granted Minamoto no Yoritomo the title of Sei-i Taishogun, formalizing his military authority.
This appointment followed his decisive victory in the Genpei War and the establishment of Kamakura as his power base.
As shogun, Yoritomo wielded real political control while the emperor remained a ceremonial figurehead in Kyoto.
He organized a warrior-led government, appointing military governors to administer provinces under his oversight.
His shogunate introduced a feudal structure that endured in various forms for centuries.
Yoritomo's rise marked the beginning of Japan's medieval samurai era and the Kamakura shogunate.
1192
Minamoto no Yoritomo
Sei-i Taishōgun
de facto
Japanese date
1331day.year
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.
In 1331, following months of internal turmoil and anarchy, King Stefan Uroš III of Serbia capitulated to his son Stefan Dušan.
The conflict arose from rival claims to power and disagreements over alliances with the Byzantine Empire.
Stefan Dušan swiftly secured the support of key nobles and church leaders, presenting himself as a stronger ruler.
With his father’s surrender, Dušan ascended to the throne and initiated reforms to centralize royal authority.
His reign expanded Serbian territories and elevated the state to an empire that challenged Byzantine dominance in the Balkans.
This transfer of power reshaped medieval Serbian politics and laid the foundation for its golden age under Emperor Dušan.
1331
Stefan Uroš III
months of anarchy
Stefan Dušan
King of Serbia
1770day.year
James Cook formally claims eastern Australia for Great Britain, naming it New South Wales.
In 1770, Captain James Cook officially claims the eastern coast of Australia for Great Britain, naming it New South Wales.
In August 1770, during his first Pacific voyage aboard HMS Endeavour, Captain James Cook charted the eastern coastline of Australia.
Near present-day New South Wales, he raised the British flag and formally claimed the territory for King George III.
Cook recorded the act in his ship’s log, officially naming the new colony New South Wales.
This proclamation laid the legal groundwork for Britain’s subsequent colonization and establishment of settlements.
The rights and presence of the continent’s Indigenous peoples were largely ignored in this imperial claim.
Cook’s declaration marked a pivotal moment in European expansion across the Pacific and the history of Australia.
1770
James Cook
Great Britain
New South Wales
1772day.year
King Gustav III completes his coup d'état by adopting a new Constitution, ending half a century of parliamentary rule in Sweden and installing himself as an enlightened despot.
In 1772, King Gustav III orchestrates a successful coup d'état in Sweden, ending decades of parliamentary rule and establishing his autocratic reign.
In 1772 King Gustav III of Sweden engineered a rapid and largely bloodless coup. By adopting a new constitution, he dismantled the Age of Liberty and centralized power in the monarchy. The coup marked the end of nearly fifty years of parliamentary governance under the Riksdag of the Estates. Gustav styled himself as an ‘enlightened despot’, promoting reforms in areas like justice and the arts. His rule would influence Swedish politics and society, balancing absolutism with Enlightenment ideals. The event reshaped the Swedish state and set a precedent for monarchical power in Northern Europe.
1772
Gustav III
coup d'état
Constitution
half a century of parliamentary rule
enlightened despot
1810day.year
Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, Marshal of France, is elected Crown Prince of Sweden by the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates.
In 1810, French Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte is elected Crown Prince of Sweden in a remarkable political turn.
On August 21, 1810, the Swedish Riksdag chose Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte as heir to the childless King Charles XIII. Bernadotte, a popular former French general under Napoleon, surprised both Swedish and European observers. His election aimed to secure Sweden’s position during the Napoleonic Wars and to leverage his French connections. Adopted into the Swedish royal family, he assumed the name Prince Karl Onufrijevitj and later became King Charles XIV John. Under his leadership, Sweden entered an alliance with Britain and Russia, regaining lost territories. Bernadotte’s dynasty endures in Sweden to this day, reflecting his lasting impact on Scandinavian monarchy. His ascent bridged cultures and reshaped the region’s geopolitical landscape.
1810
Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
Marshal of France
Crown Prince
Riksdag of the Estates
1858day.year
The first of the Lincoln–Douglas debates is held in Ottawa, Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas hold their first of seven debates on slavery and state rights in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1858.
On August 21, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas met in Ottawa, Illinois, for their inaugural debate. The contest revolved around issues of slavery’s expansion into new territories and the nature of democracy. Lincoln argued against the spread of slavery, while Douglas defended popular sovereignty. Their exchanges drew thousands of spectators and were widely covered in newspapers. The debates elevated Lincoln to national prominence, setting the stage for his 1860 presidential campaign. Although Douglas won re-election, Lincoln’s performance reshaped political discourse in a nation on the brink of civil war. The Lincoln–Douglas Debates remain a landmark in American political rhetoric and campaigning.
1858
Lincoln–Douglas debates
Ottawa, Illinois
1878day.year
The American Bar Association is founded in Saratoga Springs, New York.
In 1878, the American Bar Association was established in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Delegates from across the United States gathered on August 21, 1878, in Saratoga Springs to found the American Bar Association (ABA). The organization aimed to improve the legal profession, promote ethical standards, and facilitate professional development among lawyers. Founding members included prominent jurists and law practitioners who sought to unify disparate legal codes across states. The ABA introduced a code of professional responsibility and advocated for legal education reform. Over time, it grew into the leading voice for the American legal community and continues to influence policy and jurisprudence today.
1878
American Bar Association
Saratoga Springs
New York
1944day.year
Dumbarton Oaks Conference, prelude to the United Nations, begins.
The Dumbarton Oaks Conference began in August 1944 as a crucial meeting to design a postwar international organization. It set the stage for the United Nations.
In August 1944, delegates from the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and China gathered at the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Washington, D.C.
They worked to outline the structure, functions, and membership of a new global body to prevent future conflicts.
Key discussions focused on the Security Council, veto power, and regional oversight mechanisms.
While not final, the preliminary proposals became the foundation for the United Nations Charter.
Subsequent agreements at Yalta and San Francisco built on this framework.
The conference marked a turning point in modern diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
Its legacy continues in the UN's mission to maintain international peace and security.
1944
Dumbarton Oaks Conference
United Nations
1959day.year
United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state of the union. Hawaii's admission is currently commemorated by Hawaii Admission Day.
President Eisenhower officially declared Hawaii the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959.
On August 21, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state of the United States.
The new state joined the union following decades of political debate and public referendums.
Hawaii's statehood marked the end of its territorial history and granted full representation in Congress.
The islands' unique culture, strategic Pacific location, and economic potential added significant value to the nation.
Each year, Hawaii Admission Day celebrates this milestone with ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.
Hawaii's rich heritage and diverse population continue to shape American identity and geopolitics in the Pacific region.
1959
United States President
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Hawaii Admission Day
1963day.year
Xá Lợi Pagoda raids: The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces loyal to Ngô Đình Nhu, brother of President Ngo Dinh Diem, vandalizes Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands and leaving an estimated hundreds dead.
In 1963, South Vietnamese forces loyal to Ngô Đình Nhu attacked Buddhist pagodas nationwide, sparking civil unrest.
On August 21, 1963, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces raided the Xá Lợi Pagoda in Saigon and other Buddhist temples.
These simultaneous attacks were ordered by Ngô Đình Nhu in an effort to suppress a growing Buddhist movement.
Troops arrested thousands of monks, nuns, and sympathizers, and used force that resulted in numerous casualties.
The raids intensified public outrage and eroded support for President Diem's regime.
International media coverage of the violence increased pressure on the U.S. to reconsider its backing of South Vietnam.
The events contributed to the destabilization that led to the coup d’état later that year.
The Xá Lợi Pagoda raids remain a poignant symbol of religious persecution during the Vietnam War era.
1963
Xá Lợi Pagoda raids
Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces
Ngô Đình Nhu
Ngo Dinh Diem
Buddhist
1965day.year
The Socialist Republic of Romania is proclaimed, following the adoption of a new constitution.
Romania proclaimed itself a Socialist Republic on August 21, 1965, under a new constitution.
Following the adoption of a new constitution, Romania formally became the Socialist Republic of Romania on August 21, 1965.
The change solidified the Communist Party's control and aligned the nation with Soviet-style governance.
Nicolae Ceaușescu emerged as a prominent leader, later taking on the role of general secretary.
The new constitutional framework centralized power and limited political pluralism.
While industrialization accelerated under socialist policies, individual freedoms were heavily restricted.
This period set the stage for Romania's later economic challenges and the eventual 1989 revolution.
The proclamation marked a definitive shift in the country's domestic and foreign policies during the Cold War.
1965
Socialist Republic of Romania
a new constitution