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23 fun facts for May, 21

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
May 21 marks a diverse range of events and celebrations, from the formation of FIFA, the first solo transatlantic flight, and the beginning of the Mr. Men children's book series. The day also recognizes an array of commemorative days, such as National Waitstaff Day, World Day for Cultural Diversity, and National Endangered Species Day.
23 Fun facts
  1. On May 21, 1851, Léon Bourgeois, a French statesman and the first president of the League of Nations, was born. He later received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1920 for his work in international cooperation.
  2. American Red Cross was founded on May 21, 1881, by Clara Barton. The organization provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education both domestically and internationally.
  3. On May 21, 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was established in Paris, France. It is now the international governing body for association football, futsal, and beach soccer.
  4. May 21, 1927, marked a historic day when Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris, flying the Spirit of St. Louis in 33 hours and 30 minutes.
  5. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, celebrated its grand opening on May 21, 1937. It was the longest suspension bridge at the time and has since become an iconic symbol of the city.
  6. On May 21, 1952, IBM introduced the IBM 701, the company's first commercially available scientific computer. The device helped establish the computer industry and usher in the modern age of computing.
  7. American sitcom "The Munsters" began filming on May 21, 1964. The show, featuring a family of friendly monsters, quickly gained popularity and became a staple of American television culture.
  8. The first Mr. Men children's book, Mr. Tickle, was published in the United Kingdom on May 21, 1971, by author Roger Hargreaves. The series has since expanded to over 50 characters and has been translated into multiple languages.
  9. In 1980, the first Star Wars spin-off, "The Empire Strikes Back," premiered in theaters on May 21. It went on to become one of the most successful sequels in film history.
  10. On May 21, 1991, India's former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was tragically assassinated during a political rally. He was the youngest Prime Minister of India.
  11. On May 21, 2001, the first installment of the popular Shrek film franchise was released. The animated movie starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz became an instant hit and spawned three successful sequels.
  12. May 21 marks the annual World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This day is an opportunity to acknowledge the value of cultural diversity and to promote understanding between cultures.
  13. On May 21, 2008, NASA successfully launched the Phoenix Mars Lander on a mission to study Martian soil and search for signs of water. The mission yielded important scientific discoveries, such as the detection of water ice on the Martian surface.
  14. In the United States, May 21 is annually observed as National Endangered Species Day, a day to learn about and take action to protect endangered species and their habitats.
  15. May 21 is National Waitstaff Day in the United States, a day to show appreciation for the hardworking individuals who serve customers in restaurants and ensure a pleasant dining experience.
  16. On May 21, 1992, the first episode of the iconic sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous" aired in the United Kingdom. The show, starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, achieved cult status and enjoyed a successful run for over two decades.
  17. May 21, 1985, marked the release of "A View to a Kill," the fourteenth film in the James Bond series. It was the final film to feature Roger Moore as the British secret agent.
  18. The Eurovision Song Contest, an annual international singing competition, was first held on May 21, 1956, in Lugano, Switzerland. The competition has since become one of the longest-running television shows in the world.
  19. On May 21, 1966, the album Pet Sounds by American rock band The Beach Boys was released. It is widely considered one of the most innovative and influential albums in the history of popular music.
  20. On May 21, 2010, the first self-sustaining, artificial, synthetic life form, Mycoplasma laboratorium, was created by biologist Craig Venter and his team.
  21. May 21 is I Need a Patch for That Day, a day dedicated to the celebration of the humble patch and its many uses, from fashion to electronics.
  22. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister, was born on May 21, 1916, in present-day Sri Lanka.
  23. On May 21, 1917, the Great Atlanta Fire destroyed more than 300 acres of land, engulfing homes and businesses but causing no fatalities.

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