31 fun facts for February, 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
February 21st is a significant day in history, from the observance of International Mother Language Day to the birth of influential figures like Nina Simone and Trevor Noah. The day also marks numerous milestones in various fields including science, technology, politics, and entertainment.
31 Fun facts
  1. February 21st is International Mother Language Day, a worldwide observance day promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day was first announced by UNESCO in November 1999.
  2. In 1804, the first ever self-propelling steam locomotive was demonstrated for the first time by the British inventor Richard Trevithick on February 21st.
  3. On February 21, 1848, the influential "Communist Manifesto" written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was first published. It became an important text for modern communism and socialism.
  4. The Washington Monument, one of the most iconic monuments in the United States, was officially dedicated in Washington, D.C., on February 21, 1885.
  5. In 1916, on February 21st the Battle of Verdun, one of the largest and longest battles of World War I, began in France. While war-related, it's also a testament to endurance and human resilience.
  6. On February 21, 1925, the New Yorker magazine published its first issue, which has grown to be one of the most important and influential literary magazines in the United States.
  7. On February 21, 1965, the prominent African-American Muslim and human rights leader, Malcolm X, was assassinated in New York City.
  8. In 1972, on February 21, U.S. President Richard Nixon arrived in China, marking the first time an American president had visited the country.
  9. On February 21, 1953, scientist Francis Crick informed his wife by letter that he and James Watson had discovered the secret of life: the structure of DNA, an essential molecule for life.
  10. On February 21, 1975, the United States and Panama signed the Panama Canal Treaty, which recognized Panamanian sovereignty over the canal and the canal zone.
  11. Nina Simone, the legendary American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist, was born on February 21, 1933.
  12. In Australia, on February 21, 1803, the Sydney Gazette published an article confirming that the colony of New South Wales was officially declared a Penal Colony.
  13. The Gibson Desert in Western Australia was first mapped by explorer and surveyor Len Beadell on February 21, 1956.
  14. February 21 is National Sticky Bun Day in the United States, a day that celebrates the sweet, cinnamon-flavored pastry.
  15. On February 21, 2006, the social media platform Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass.
  16. February 21, 2011 marked the launch of BBC Worldwide's commercial news app, the Global News App.
  17. On February 21, 2019, Tamil Nadu became the first Indian State to ban e-cigarettes to protect public health.
  18. In 1921, Swedish author and playwright August Strindberg passed away on February 21, leaving behind a prolific body of work that contributed to modern Swedish literature.
  19. On February 21, 2013, Netflix released its first original series, "House of Cards", which would go on to become an award-winning show.
  20. February 21, 1952 is remembered as Language Movement Day in Bangladesh, when students and political activists were killed during protests advocating for Bengali to be the official language of then-East Pakistan.
  21. Canadian inventor Harold Mimnaugh patented the game of paintball on February 21, 1986, which has since grown into a popular global sport.
  22. February 21st is celebrated within the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda as the feast day of Oxum, the Orisha associated with fresh water, love, beauty, and wealth.
  23. On February 21, 1995, the British musician Steve Firth, part of the band Embrace, set a new Guinness World Record for the longest guitar playing marathon at nearly 42 hours.
  24. February 21, 1878 marked the premiere of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 at Moscow's Imperial Russian Music Society.
  25. The National Parks of the Philippines‎ was first established on February 21, 2003, as part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System.
  26. The British television program "Teletubbies" first aired on February 21, 1997, and became a global success in the children's entertainment industry.
  27. On February 21, 1858, Edwin T. Holmes installed the first-ever commercial electric burglar alarm in the United States in Boston, Massachusetts.
  28. February 21 is the National Day of San Marino for the Feast of Saint Peter, a major holiday in the small European nation that includes public celebrations and liturgical services.
  29. In 2020, on February 21, New Zealand hosted its first-ever Women's Cricket World Cup match.
  30. American entrepreneur Alan Klapmeier, co-founder of Cirrus Aircraft, was born on February 21, 1958. Cirrus Aircraft is known for the development of the first production-line general aviation parachute system.
  31. South African comedian and TV host, Trevor Noah, known for hosting "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central, was born on February 21, 1984.

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