November 21: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On this day in 1905, Albert Einstein changed the world forever by publishing the paper that introduced the famous mass-energy equivalence formula, E=mc².
Quick Facts for November 21
- Zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Day of year: 325
About November 21
November 21 has long been a milestone for human ingenuity and exploration. In 1783, the skies above Paris became the stage for a breathtaking first when Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes completed the very first untethered hot air balloon journey. Fast forward over a century to the dawn of the digital age, and we saw the establishment of the first permanent ARPANET link between UCLA and SRI in 1969, laying the foundation for the modern internet.
While history often marches forward with heavy scientific and political shifts, the day also invites a sense of warmth and community. Whether it is through the lens of the Scorpio zodiac's intensity or participating in celebrations like National Adoption Day, the date serves as a reminder of the profound connections—both technological and human—that shape our world.
Holidays & Observances on November 21
- Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)
- Christian feast days: Amelberga of Susteren
- Christian feast days: Digain
- Christian feast days: Maurus of Parentium
- Christian feast days: Pope Gelasius I
- Christian feast days: Franciszka Siedliska
- Christian feast days: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Christian feast days: Rufus of Rome (no. 7 in list)
Fun & National Days on November 21
- National Gingerbread Day — Get baking and decorate some delicious gingerbread creations today!
- National Stuffing Day — Add some hearty, savory stuffing to your next meal.
- Alascattalo Day
- False Confession Day
- Family Volunteer Day
- National Adoption Day
- National Cranberry Day
- National Red Mitten Day (Canada)
- National Survivors of Suicide Day
- Pumpkin Pie Day
On This Day in History
- -164 — Judas Maccabeus, of the Hasmonean line, dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, inspiring the annual Hanukkah festival.
- 1676 — Danish astronomer Ole Rømer provided the first accurate quantitative measurements regarding the speed of light.
- 1783 — The first free-floating hot air balloon flight took place in Paris, piloted by two courageous explorers.
- 1789 — North Carolina officially joined the United States as the 12th state by ratifying the Constitution.
- 1877 — Thomas Edison revealed his groundbreaking invention, the phonograph, which could both record and play back audio.
- 1905 — The journal Annalen der Physik published Albert Einstein's revolutionary work on mass-energy equivalence.
- 1918 — The United Kingdom passed a landmark act allowing women to be elected to Parliament.
- 1922 — Georgia's Rebecca Latimer Felton made history by being sworn in as the first female U.S. Senator.
- 1953 — Scientists at the Natural History Museum in London revealed the 'Piltdown Man' fossil was actually a hoax.
- 1964 — The Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge opened, setting a new record as the longest bridge span in the world.
- 1969 — A vital permanent connection was created via ARPANET between the institutions of SRI and UCLA.
- 1995 — The Dayton Agreement was signed in Ohio, successfully bringing an end to the Bosnian War.
Famous Birthdays on November 21
- 1694 — Voltaire, A legendary French philosopher and writer who shaped Enlightenment thought.
- 1898 — René Magritte, An influential Belgian artist known for his surrealist and thought-provoking paintings.
- 1903 — Isaac Bashevis Singer, A celebrated Nobel Prize-winning novelist known for his profound short stories.
- 1920 — Stan Musial, A legendary American baseball player and manager who became an icon of the sport.
- 1924 — Christopher Tolkien, An esteemed academic and writer who worked on his father's literary legacy.
- 1945 — Goldie Hawn, An acclaimed American actress and producer with a celebrated film career.
- 1965 — Björk, An iconic Icelandic singer and songwriter known for her unique musical style.