🔍︎
Dark Mode
National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for July 21, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.
These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.
Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for July.
International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).
Events that occurred on July 21 throughout history
Wild Bill Hickok shoots and kills Davis Tutt in the first dual in the wild west. The shootout happened after Wild Bill couldn't pay his debts so Davis stole Wild Bill's gold pocket watch as collateral. The dual was considered to be the first true one-on-one quick-draw duel of the American Old West.
Wild Bill Hickok shoots and kills Davis Tutt in the first dual in the wild west. The shootout happened after Wild Bill couldn't pay his debts so Davis stole Wild Bill's gold pocket watch as collateral. The dual was considered to be the first true one-on-one quick-draw duel of the American Old West.
Jesse James and the James–Younger Gang pull off the first successful train robbery in the American Old West. The robbers stole around $3,000 in currency.
Louise Blanchard Bethune becomes the first female architect in the U.S. She designed or remodeled roughly 150 to 180 buildings in her career.
President Herbert Hoover signed Executive Order 5398, establishing the Veterans Administration (VA). The Order consolidated the Veterans' Bureau, the Pension Bureau, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers into a single federal organization to manage benefits and care for former service members.
The U.S. Senate ratifies the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO). The Treaty stipulates that an armed attack against one or more member states in Europe or North America is considered an attack against all. In the event of an attack, NATO members will assist by taking whatever action is deemed necessary, including the use of armed force.
People born on July 21
Astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation rates.
Roy Neuberger (1903-2010) - Co-founder of the investment management firm Neuberger Berman.
Critically acclaimed actor and comedian with starring roles in Popeye, Good Will Hunting, Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, and The Birdcage, Jack, to name a few.
Saxophonist who played the The Pink Panther Theme.
Comedian best known for his time on Saturday Night Live.
Cartoonist who created the comic strip Doonesbury.
Acclaimed novelist and short story author of The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms.
Actor and comedian fondly remembered for his role as Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show.
