The Battle of Lincoln takes place during the First Barons' War in England, resulting in a victory for royalist forces.
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What Happened Today in History on November 21
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on November 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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Edward I of England, also known as Edward Longshanks, ascends to the throne of England on November 21 after the death of his father, Henry III. He was on a crusade at the time, when he was informed of his father's death and the throne was declared his by hereditary right in his absence. He returned to England in 1274 and was formally crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Giovanni Gaetano Orsini is elected as Pope Nicholas III.
The Dutch East India Company is founded, becoming one of the world's first multinational corporations.
Danish scientist Ole Rømer presents the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light to the Royal Academy of Sciences on November 21, 1676. He had calculated the speed of light to be approximately 220,000 kilometers per second. It was the first quantitative measurement of a finite speed of light. His finding contradicted the belief held at the time that light traveled instantaneously. It was a great Achievement although it was about 25% less than the actual value, More
English pirate Henry Every (also known as "Captain Kidd") and his crew capture the Ganj-i-Sawai, a wealthy Indian ship.
The second Battle of Humenne takes place during the Rakoczi's War for Hungarian independence, with an Austrian victory.
The first free flight of a hot air balloon carrying a human takes place in Paris, France. The balloon carried two men, Francois Pilatrê de Rozier and Francois Laurent, Marquis of Arlanders. The hot air balloon made of paper and silk was made by the Montgolfier brothers. More
North Carolina ratifies the Articles of Confederation becoming the12th State.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) is founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The first modern parachute is tested by André-Jacques Garnerin in France.
The Hospital ship HM Britannic, Sister ship to the Titanic, sinks on her sixth voyage when she struck a mine and sank off the Greek coast in the Agean Sea. More than 1,000 crew, doctors and nurses were on board, and 30 people lost their lives. The Britannic sank in 55 minutes and was the largest ship lost in the First World War. More
US Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard is arrested by the FBI for spying and passing classified information to Israel after he and his wife, Anne, sought to gain asylum at the Israeli Embassy. He avoided a trial by pleading guilty in return for a promise of leniency for him and his wife. He received a life sentence on Nov. 1, 1987. He was paroled in 2015 after 30 years in prison and is now living in Israel. More