November 21
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)
Armed Forces Day in Bangladesh commemorates the founding of the country's military and honors the valor and sacrifices of its army, navy, and air force.
Christianfeast days:
Amelberga of Susteren, Digain, Maurus of Parentium, Pope Gelasius I, Franciszka Siedliska, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rufus of Rome(no. 7 in list), William Byrd,John MerbeckeandThomas Tallis(Episcopal Church (USA)), November 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collection of feast days honoring saints and religious commemorations observed by various Christian denominations on November 21.
World Television Day(United Nations observance)
World Television Day celebrates the impact of television on communication, entertainment, and information worldwide.
World Philosophy Day(United Nations observance)
World Philosophy Day honors the rich heritage of philosophical thought and its contributions to critical reflection and dialogue.
Amelberga of Susteren
Feast of Saint Amelberga of Susteren, a 9th-century abbess revered for her devotion and charitable works.
Digain
Feast of Saint Digain, a 5th-century Welsh hermit and monk known for his ascetic life.
Maurus of Parentium
Feast of Saint Maurus of Parentium, an early Christian bishop and martyr from the region of Poreč.
Pope Gelasius I
Commemoration of Pope Gelasius I, the 5th-century pope known for defining the relationship between church and state.
Franciszka Siedliska
Feast of Saint Franciszka Siedliska, founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Events
Judas Maccabeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family, rededicates the Temple in Jerusalem, an event that is commemorated each year by the festival of Hanukkah. (25 Kislev 3597 in the Hebrew calendar.)
In 164 BCE, Judas Maccabeus rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, an act later celebrated as Hanukkah.
Pope Anterus succeeds Pontian as the nineteenth pope.
In 235, Pope Anterus became the nineteenth pope, succeeding Pontian and leading the early Christian community.
Timur of Samarkand captures and sacks the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, taking King Bagrat V of Georgia captive.
In 1386, Timur of Samarkand captured and sacked Tbilisi, taking King Bagrat V of Georgia captive.
Plymouth Colony settlers sign the Mayflower Compact (November 11, O.S.)
On November 21, 1620 (O.S.), Plymouth Colony settlers signed the Mayflower Compact, establishing self-government.
The Danish astronomer Ole Rømer presents the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light.
In 1676, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer presented the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light.
In Paris, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes make the first untethered hot air balloon flight.
In 1783, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes made the first untethered hot air balloon flight in Paris.
North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and is admitted as the 12th U.S. state.
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina ratified the United States Constitution, becoming the 12th state.
Mutineers take control of the Chilean penal colony of Punta Arenas in the Strait of Magellan.
In 1851, mutineers seized control of the Chilean penal colony at Punta Arenas in the Strait of Magellan.
American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin Secretary of War.
On November 21, 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed Judah Benjamin as Secretary of War.
Births
John Bale
English bishop and historian known for his pioneering catalog of British writers.
Anne de Xainctonge
French saint and educator who founded the Society of the Sisters of Saint Ursula to provide free education for girls.
Catharina Questiers
Dutch poet noted for her elegant and lyrical verse during the Dutch Golden Age.
Carlo Innocenzo Frugoni
Italian poet and scholar renowned for his elegant verse and influence in Enlightenment Italy.
Voltaire
French Enlightenment writer and philosopher famed for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties.
Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg
German composer, critic, and music theorist influential in the development of 18th-century music criticism.
Josiah Bartlett
American physician and political leader who signed the Declaration of Independence and governed New Hampshire.
Joseph Plumb Martin
American sergeant and memoirist known for his vivid account of soldier life during the American Revolution.
Friedrich Schleiermacher
German theologian and philosopher known as the father of modern liberal theology.
Deaths
Columbanus
Irish missionary and saint who established influential monasteries in Europe and inspired medieval monasticism.
Al-Tahawi
Prominent Arab imam and scholar whose theological writings have shaped Sunni Islam.
Reizei
63rd emperor of Japan who reigned from 967 to 969 during the Heian period.
William de Corbeil
Archbishop of Canterbury known for his church reforms and for crowning King Stephen.
King of Navarre who restored his kingdom's independence from Aragon.
Yury of Moscow
Prince of Moscow and Grand Prince of Vladimir who expanded Muscovite influence.
Philip I
Last Capetian Duke of Burgundy who died young without heirs.
Georgius Agricola
German scholar known as the 'father of mineralogy' for his pioneering work in mining and metallurgy.
Annibale Caro
Italian Renaissance writer celebrated for his poetry and elegant translations of classical works.