February 21st in History

The partially completed Washington Monument, circa 1860 (Photo: Mathew Brady/Levin Handy)

Today in History

  • The first self-propelling steam locomotive makes its first run (1804)
  • Marx and Engels publish The Communist Manifesto (1848)
  • The first telephone directory is issued (1878)
  • The Washington Monument is dedicated (1885)
  • NASCAR is incorporated (1948)
  • Nixon visits China (1972)

Birthdays

  • Antonio López de Santa Anna, Mexican general and politician (1794)
  • Charles Scribner, publisher (1821)
  • Andrés Segovia, guitarist (1893)
  • Anaïs Nin, Luther (1903)
  • W. H. Auden, poet (1907)
  • Ann Sheridan, actress (1915)
  • Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean politician (1924)
  • Sam Peckinpah, director (1925)
  • Erma Bombeck, columnist (1972)
  • Hubert de Givenchy, fashion designer (1972)
  • Rue McClanahan, actress (1934)
  • Richard A. Lupoff, author (1935)
  • Alan Rickman, actor (1946)
  • Kelsey Grammer, actor (1955)
  • Mary Chapin Carpenter, musician (1958)

Deaths

  • Baruch Spinoza, philosopher (1677)
  • Malcolm X, minister and civil rights activist (1965)
  • Tim Horton, ice hockey player and restauranteur (1974)

Holidays and Celebrations

  • Armed Forces Day (South Africa)
  • Father Lini Day (Vanuatu)
  • International Mother Language Day (UNESCO)
  • National Biscuits and Gravy Day (US)

February 21 is the 52nd day of the year. There are 313 days (314 in leap years) remaining until the end of the year.