April 21 in History
April 21 is the birthday of Hyein (2008) and the anniversary of the death of Pope Francis (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for April 21, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Sancho VI, king of Navarre was born in 1132, while Emperor Xian of Han, Chinese emperor died in 234.
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Famous people born on April 21
Famous people who died on April 21
2019
Polly Higgins (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Scottish barrister, author, and environmental lobbyist (1968–2019)
2014
George H. Heilmeier (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American engineer and businessman (1936-2014)
2014
Win Tin (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Burmese writer and political prisoner (12 March 1929 – 21 April 2014)
1998
Jean-François Lyotard (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
French philosopher, sociologist, and literary theorist (1924-1998)
1997
Diosdado Macapagal (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
President of the Philippines from 1961 to 1965
1985
Rudi Gernreich (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Austrian-born American fashion designer (1922–1985)
What happened on April 21
- 2021
Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala (402) sinks in the Bali Sea during a military drill, killing all 53 on board.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
Eight bombs explode at churches, hotels, and other locations in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing at least 269.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
Two trains are involved in a head-on collision near Sloterdijk, Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, killing one person and injuring 116 others.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2010
The controversial Kharkiv Pact (Russian Ukrainian Naval Base for Gas Treaty) is signed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, by Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev; it was unilaterally terminated by Russia on March 31, 2014.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
Five suicide car bombers target police stations in and around Basra, killing 74 people and wounding 160.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
Four people are killed and 75 are injured in a train accident in Jokela, Finland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1993
The Supreme Court in La Paz, Bolivia, sentences former dictator Luis García Meza to 30 years in jail without parole for murder, theft, fraud and violating the constitution.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Yaobang.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1987
The Tamil Tigers are blamed for a car bomb that detonates in the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo, killing 106 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1985
The compound of the militant group The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord surrenders to federal authorities in Arkansas after a two-day government siege.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1982
Baseball: Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to record 300 saves.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1977
Annie opens on Broadway.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
Vietnam War: President of South Vietnam Nguyễn Văn Thiệu flees Saigon, as Xuân Lộc, the last South Vietnamese outpost blocking a direct North Vietnamese assault on Saigon, falls.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
Astronauts John Young and Charles Duke fly Apollo 16's Apollo Lunar Module to the Moon's surface, the fifth NASA Apollo Program crewed lunar landing.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1967
A few days before the general election in Greece, Colonel George Papadopoulos leads a coup d'état, establishing a military regime that lasts for seven years.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on April 21
- 1132 — Sancho VI, king of Navarre (died 1194)
- 1488 — Ulrich von Hutten, German religious reformer (died 1523)
- 1523 — Marco Antonio Bragadin, Venetian lawyer and military officer (died 1571)
Died on April 21
- 234 — Emperor Xian of Han, Chinese emperor (born 181)
- 586 — Liuvigild, king of the Visigoths
- 847 — Odgar, Frankish archbishop of Mainz
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for April 21
Quick answers
Who was born on April 21? Hyein (2008), Princess Isabella of Denmark (2007), Xavi Simons (2003).
Who died on April 21? Pope Francis (2025), Terry A. Anderson (2024), Polly Higgins (2019).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in April? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the April 21 historical article above.
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Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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