29 fun facts for September, 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
September 21 is a day rich with historical events, cultural celebrations, and scientific milestones. Highlights include the International Day of Peace, the independence of countries like Belize, Armenia, and Malta, and significant moments in space exploration, such as NASA's Galileo spacecraft ending its mission and confirmation of water on Mars.
29 Fun facts
  1. International Day of Peace: Every year on September 21, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Peace, promoting the strengthening of the ideals of peace among all nations and peoples.
  2. World Gratitude Day: The annual celebration of World Gratitude Day occurs on September 21, aiming to express gratitude and appreciation for everything from people to our environment.
  3. Independence Day of Belize: Belize gained its independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981, led by the People's United Party with George Cadle Price as the first Prime Minister.
  4. Armenia Independence Day: Armenia proclaimed its independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991.
  5. Malta National Day: Known as "Independence Day" (Jum l-Indipendenza) in Malta, this day celebrates the country's independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.
  6. In 1792, the National Convention abolishes the French monarchy: The monarchy was abolished, marking a significant milestone in the French Revolution.
  7. In 1866, author H.G. Wells was born: Herbert George Wells, a prolific English writer and one of the fathers of science fiction, was born on September 21, 1866. His best-known works include The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds.
  8. In 1934, the Gresford mining disaster occurred: The Gresford coal mine tragedy in Wales resulted in 266 deaths, making it one of Britain's worst coal mining disasters.
  9. In 1937, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien was published: The publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel marked the beginning of a beloved classic and a worldwide phenomenon.
  10. In 1949, the People's Republic of China was proclaimed: Mao Zedong announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China on September 21, 1949, changing the course of Chinese history.
  11. In 1964, the North American XB-70 Valkyrie took off for the first time: The supersonic strategic bomber made its maiden flight, showcasing an advanced design leading to further aviation innovations.
  12. In 1970, Monday Night Football premiered: September 21, 1970, marked the beginning of the long-running prime-time television series dedicated to American football.
  13. In 1972, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law: The infamous proclamation of martial law in the Philippines by Ferdinand Marcos began a dark period in the country's history.
  14. In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was confirmed: The United States Senate confirmed Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court Justice.
  15. In 1996, the Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir: The docking marked a significant collaboration between the United States and Russia in space exploration.
  16. In 2003, the Galileo spacecraft ended its 14-year mission: The NASA spacecraft was deliberately crashed into Jupiter after completing its mission to study the planet and its moons.
  17. In 2008, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN was powered down: The massive particle accelerator was shut down due to an overheating issue, a mark of the complexities in such advanced technology.
  18. In 2011, Mariano Rivera set a new Major League Baseball save record: Rivera broke the previous record with his 602nd career save.
  19. In 1979, the Vela Incident occurred: A mysterious and unexplained double flash was detected by an American satellite, leading to various theories about its cause.
  20. In 2001, Deep Space 1 flew by Comet Borrelly: The NASA spacecraft successfully captured valuable data from the comet, advancing our understanding of these celestial objects.
  21. In 1904, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe passed away: Chief Joseph's advocacy for his tribe and his pursuit of justice made him a legendary figure in Native American history.
  22. In 2014, Alibaba's IPO became the world's largest: Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba shattered previous records with its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
  23. In 1985, Christa McAuliffe was chosen as the first teacher in space: The NASA selection process identified McAuliffe as the first private citizen to fly in space, inspiring educators around the world.
  24. In 1921, Pope Benedict XV issued the encyclical In praeclara summorum: The encyclical was Pope Benedict XV's response to the growing secularism of the early 20th century.
  25. In 1897, the New York Sun published the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" editorial: The newspaper editorial answered a young girl's question about Santa Claus, becoming a popular and enduring piece about the holiday spirit.
  26. In 2005, Hurricane Rita intensified to Category 5: The natural disaster contributed to the already widespread devastation in the Gulf Coast of the United States, following Hurricane Katrina.
  27. In 2013, International Olympic Committee approves wrestling: The International Olympic Committee voted to keep wrestling in the Olympic Games after initially considering its removal.
  28. In 2015, NASA confirmed the presence of water on Mars: The announcement marked a significant discovery in the exploration of Mars and its potential for hosting life.
  29. In 2012, the space shuttle Endeavour commences its final journey: The retired space shuttle embarked on a 12-mile journey through the streets of Los Angeles to its final resting place at the California Science Center.

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