Discover 15 historical moments on September 21 — 5 events, 5 birthdays, and 5 notable deaths spanning centuries of human history.
Hero image inspired by: Defense of Marriage Act
The Defense of Marriage Act was passed by the United States Congress. It prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriage, while allowing states to adopt any marital definition of their choosing.
A 7.7 Mw earthquake struck Jiji, Taiwan, killing 2,415 people and injuring more than 11,000 others. The earthquake caused about NT$300 billion (US$10 billion) in damage across the island.
Several British Muslim youths in Peterborough, England, murdered 17-year-old Ross Parker. This led to debate over whether the British media failed to cover racially motivated crimes with white victims.
American rock band Green Day released their seventh studio album, American Idiot.
Unidentified gunmen began a three-day attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack resulted in 67 deaths and at least 175 wounded.
Walewska Oliveira, a Brazilian volleyball player and Olympic champion, died. She was born in 1979.
Raquel Blandón was a Guatemalan lawyer and activist, and served as the First Lady of Guatemala.
Eddie Low, a New Zealand country singer and musician, died. He was born in 1943.
Mercury Morris, an American football player, died. He was born in 1947.
September 21 is home to 15 recorded historical entries in our collection, including 5 notable events, 5 famous birthdays, and 5 deaths. This date has witnessed momentous occasions spanning from 1996 to the present day.
Among the most notable events on September 21: Defense of Marriage Act passed (1996), Jiji earthquake (1999), Murder of Ross Parker (2001). View all events →
Notable figures born on September 21 include Máscara de Bronce, Yainer Díaz, Wang Junkai. View all birthdays →
Remembered figures who died on September 21 include Walewska Oliveira, Raquel Blandón, Benny Golson. View all →
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