May 21 in History

• 1792

  May 21, 1792:

  About 15,000 people lose their lives from the volcanic eruption of Japan’s Mount Unzen.

• 1904

  May 21, 1904:

  The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is formed in Paris.

• 1908

  May 21, 1908:

  “Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde”, the first horror movie to be made, premieres in Chicago.

• 1927

  May 21, 1927: Aviator and explorer Charles Lindbergh becomes the first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean.

• 1932

  May 21, 1932:

  Amelia Earhart, the American aviator, pilots a plane in a transatlantic flight as the first solo woman in the history of aviation.

• 1981

  May 21, 1981:

  Jamaica organizes a funeral for legendary reggae singer Bob Marley.

• 1983

  May 21, 1983:

  “Let’s Dance”, a single by David Bowie tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart, having previously stayed at number 1 on the UK singles chart for three weeks.

• 1991

  May 21, 1991:

  India’s former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated by a suicide bomber.

• 2000

  May 21, 2000:

  Author Barbara Cartland dies. She authored well-over 700 books.

• 2017

  May 21, 2017:

  The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performs for the last time.