Crete earthquake - An estimated 8.5 magnitude underseas earthquake and resulting Tsunami causes widespread destruction in central and southern Macedonia (Modern Greece), Africa northern Libya, Egypt, where the city of Alexandria was severely damaged, Cyprus, Sicily and Hispania (Spain). On Crete, nearly all towns were destroyed. More
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What Happened Today in History on July 21
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on July 21st. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The Battle of Shrewsbury takes place after Henry "Hotspur" Percy and his uncle, Thomas Percy, the Earl of Worcester, rebelled against King Henry IV in 1403 (The Percy Rebellion). The rebellion was fueled by the Percy's feeling betrayed for not receiving the promised rewards after helping Henry IV gain the throne. The battle resulted in a decisive royalist victory, with Hotspur being killed, and the rebellion collapsing.
Henry IV of England's forces defeat rebel forces led by Henry "Hotspur" Percy at the Battle of Shrewsbury.
The Council of Siena convened by Pope Martin V to discuss church reforms and address corruption officially begins on July 21, 1423. It was ordinally to be held in Pavia but it was moved to Siena because of an outbreak of the plague in Pavia. The Council was dissolved on February 26, 1424.
After capturing Alexandria and crossing the desert, Napoleon Bonaparte and his French troops defeat the infantry and cavalry of the Mamluks, the soldiers of the Ottoman Turks, in a decisive victory at the Battle of the Pyramids, (also known as the Battle of Embabeh). The victory opened the doors to the conquest of Cairo. More
Guam was ceded to the United States by Spain.
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The "Scopes Monkey trial", formally The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, which had started on July 10. comes to an end. The trial publicized the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, which set Modernists, who said evolution was not inconsistent with religion, against Fundamentalists. The trial was deliberately staged in order to attract publicity to the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, where it was held. Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100 (equivalent to $1,700 in 2023), but the verdict was overturned on a technicality. More
The Space Shuttle Atlantis completes STS-135, its 33rd and final mission landing on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. More
Atlantis Final Tow Back