Did you know that on May 21, one man flew alone over the Atlantic, another woman did the same five years later, and in the same historical calendar we will find the birth of FIFA, the damage to Michelangelo's Pieta and one of the most surprising records of Polish football – unbeaten to this day? Are you wondering what happened that day in history for the last thousand years? It's one of those days that can surprise even dry lovers of history. We invite you to a unique review that will prove that May 21 in history is a true treasure house of extraordinary stories.
What happened on May 21? Major events in history
1927 – Charles Lindbergh finishes his first solo flight over the Atlantic
On May 21, 1927, American Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris, finishing a historic flight from Garden City — lonely, sleepless, for over 33 hours over the ruthless waters of the Atlantic. It was the first solo transatlantic flight in aviation history, a feat that made a world-wide hero pilot. Lindbergh was on a Spirit of St. Louis plane, and the greeted Parisian crowd reportedly numbered over 100,000 people. This day in history aviation has changed the human perception of the limits of what is possible.
1932 – Amelia Earhart as the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic
Exactly five years after Lindbergh, on May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart became history's first woman to beat the Atlantic by herself — on a route from Newfoundland to Ireland. This flight was not just a sporting feat, but a symbolic breakthrough in the fight for equality between women in aviation and not only. Earhart proved to the world that courage and determination have no gender. It's one of those events that every historical calendar for that day has to take into account.
1904 – The birth of FIFA in Paris
It's hard to imagine modern Sports without Fédération Internationale de Football Association, and yet this organization has a very specific birthday. On May 21, 1904, FIFA was established in Paris — The federation, which today brings together more than two hundred countries and manages the world's largest sports show, which is the Mundial football. The founders included federations from France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Over one hundred and twenty years later, FIFA remains one of the most powerful sports organizations in the world.
1939 – Ernest Wilimowski's record, which nobody beat
What happened that day on Polish fields in 1939? Something absolutely special. Ernest Wilimowski scored in one league game as many as ten goals when his Chorz Movement defeated Union Touring Boat 12:1. This is a record of the Polish Extraclass that has survived over eighty-five years and has not been beaten to this day. Wilimowski was one of the most capable attackers of his era. — in the same year he scored four goals for Poland's team in a match against Brazil at the World Championships, and Poland She tied up after overtime 6:5. His history It's one of those sporting wonders that every respectable historical calendar should remember.
1972 – The madman damages Michelangelo's Pieta
On May 21, 1972, one of the most shocking acts of vandalism in art history occurred in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. Geologist László Tóth struck Michelangelo's famous Pieta with a hammer, one of the most valuable sculpture works in the world, damaging Madonna's nose, left hand and eyelids. The restaurant works lasted years, and the sculpture never fully recovered the original condition. Since then, the masterpiece has been protected by bulletproof glass — tragic proof that This day in history The play left a trail.
1881 – Establishment of the American Red Cross
On that day in 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, an organization that over a hundred and forty years became a symbol of humanitarian aid in times of disasters, wars and natural disasters. Barton was a nurse and social activist who had previously been famous for helping injured soldiers during the Civil War. Today, ARC is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the United States, bringing together millions of active helpers. Without May 21, 1881 history humanitarian aid would look completely different.
1674 – Jan Sobieski king of Poland
This is one of those Polish accents which each national historical calendar must take into account. On May 21, 1674, hetman Jan Sobieski, a famous Turk slayer and one of the most prominent military commanders of his era, was elected king of Poland. Just a few years later, in 1683, he led Christian troops to victory at Vienna, saving Europe from Ottoman expansion. His election was the result of both war successes and skillful political play on the election parliament.
1791 – Unzen volcano Erupt and deadly tsunami
That day in 1792 — one year after the explosion — earthquake accompanying the Japanese volcano Unzen triggered a powerful tsunami that struck the city of Shimabara, killing about fifteen thousand people. It was one of the largest natural disasters in Japanese history, resulting from a series of eruptions and collapse of the volcanic slope. This event reminds us of how ruthless nature can be, and the Japanese city of Shimabara still commemorates victims This tragedy.
1945 – Action under Rembertow: AK crashes NKWD camp
On the night of 20 to 21 May 1945, after the end of World War II in Europe, a branch of the National Army commanded by Lieutenant Edward Wasilewski, the nickname "Wichura" carried out a bravado action, setting up the NKVD camp in Rembertów and releasing about 500 prisoners — including AK soldiers and civilians held by Soviet services. It was one of the largest and most spectacular anti-communist underground actions in post-war Poland. This day in the history of Polish resistance remains a symbol of the integrity and courage of those who did not lay down their weapons even after the official end of the war.
1980 – Premiere "Imperium counterattacks"
On May 21, 1980, the fifth part of Star Wars entered cinema screens — "Imperium counterattacks" directed by Irvin Kershner. Many fans and critics consider this movie for the best installment of the entire saga, and the scene with revealing Darth Vader's identity went to pop culture as one of the most recognizable moments in cinema history. Production has earned hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide and has permanently changed science fiction cinema standards.
Born 21 May
Albrecht Dürer (1471) – one of the most prominent painters and graphic designers of the German Renaissance, author of the famous Self-Portrait and woodcut cycles, which revolutionized European graphics.
Philip II Habsburg (1527) – King of Spain and Portugal, ruler of the Netherlands and Naples, one of the most powerful monarchs of the 16th century, during whose reign Spain peaked at its imperial power.
Andrei Sakharov (1921) – Russian nuclear physicist, co-founder of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, who later became one of the most important dissidents and human rights defenders in the USSR, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975.
Romain Gary (1914) – French writer, diplomat and film director, the only author ever to win the literary Goncourt Award twice — The second time under the pseudonym Émile Ajar.
The Notorious B.I.G. (1972) – American rapper born Christopher Wallace, one of the most important creators in hip-hop history, tragically shot in 1997 in Los Angeles.
World events
1388 – Establishment of the University of Cologne – one of the oldest universities in Central Europe started its activity, becoming an important centre of science and culture in Germany over time.
1471 – Death of Henry VI Lancaster at the Tower of London – The overthrown King of England was executed in the famous London fortress, which ended one of the dramatic chapters of the Two Rose Wars.
1871 – Blood Week and the Fall of the Paris Commune – the troops of the Versailles Government brutally suppressed the Paris Commune, killing approximately 30,000 people, thus ending one of the most radical revolutionary experiments of the 19th century.
1998 – Suharto resigns after 32 years of dictatorship – President Suharto of Indonesia stepped down from office under the pressure of mass protests, ending more than three decades of authoritarian rule and opening a new chapter in the country's history.
2006 – Montenegro votes independence – in the historic referendum, the Montenegrins advocated separation from Serbia, which led to the creation of one of the youngest countries in Europe.
This day in history proves once again that May 21 is a date extremely rich in breakthrough moments — from aerial discoveries, the birth of great organizations, to dramatic political and cultural events on all continents. It's worth going back to these things, because it's the best way to appreciate how much the present has grown out of centuries ago. Look tomorrow, because the May 22 calendar has equally unusual stories.
