May 21 in History
May 21 is the birthday of El Ma (2007) and the anniversary of the death of Kyle Busch (2026). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 21, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Albrecht Dürer, German painter, engraver, and mathematician was born in 1471, while Sun Quan, Chinese emperor of Eastern Wu died in 252.
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Famous people born on May 21
Famous people who died on May 21
2013
Frank Comstock (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American composer, arranger, conductor, and trombonist
2012
Bill Stewart (gridiron football) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American football coach (1952–2012)
2006
Billy Walker (musician) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American country music singer and guitarist (1929–2006)
What happened on May 21
- 2024
The Greenfield tornado kills five and injures 35 across rural Iowa, United States. Wind speeds in excess of 480 kilometres per hour (300 mph) are estimated from measurements for the third time in history.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2024
A stabbing spree on the Green line of the Taichung MRT injures four people, including the perpetrator.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2017
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2014
Random killings occur on the Bannan Line of the Taipei MRT, killing four and injuring 24.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
A bus accident near Himara, Albania kills 13 people and injures 21 others.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
A suicide bombing kills more than 120 people in Sanaa, Yemen.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2011
Radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted that the world would end on this date.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2010
JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, launches the solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS aboard an H-IIA rocket. The vessel would make a Venus flyby late in the year.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
The Republic of Montenegro holds a referendum proposing independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro; 55% of Montenegrins vote for independence.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2003
The 6.8 Mw Boumerdès earthquake shakes northern Algeria with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). More than 2,200 people were killed and a moderate tsunami sank boats at the Balearic Islands.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
French Taubira law is enacted, officially recognizing the Atlantic slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
Nineteen people are killed in a plane crash in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
In Miami, five abortion clinics are attacked by a butyric acid attacker.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
President Suharto of Indonesia resigns following the killing of students from Trisakti University earlier that week by security forces and growing mass protests in Jakarta against his ongoing corrupt rule.
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 May 21
- 1471 — Albrecht Dürer, German painter, engraver, and mathematician (died 1528)
- 1497 — Al-Hattab, Muslim jurist (died 1547)
- 1527 — Philip II of Spain, King of Spain, Portugal, England and Ireland (died 1598)
Died on May 21
- 252 — Sun Quan, Chinese emperor of Eastern Wu (born 182)
- 954 — Feng Dao, Chinese prince and chancellor (born 882)
- 987 — Louis V, king of West Francia (born c. 966)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 21
Quick answers
Who was born on May 21? El Ma (2007), Elena Huelva (2002), Sisca Folkertsma (1997).
Who died on May 21? Kyle Busch (2026), Gerry Connolly (2025), Jan A. P. Kaczmarek (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 21 historical article above.
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Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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