CalEvents:Aug/Aug 21
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for Aug 21
Date
Event
Significance
August 21, 1831
Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion begins in Virginia
On this day, Nat Turner led one of the most significant slave revolts in U.S. history. The rebellion, which began in Southampton County, Virginia, resulted in the deaths of around 60 white people and led to harsher laws against enslaved and free African Americans throughout the South.
August 21, 1944
W.E.B. Du Bois becomes vice president of the World Peace Congress
On this day, African-American intellectual and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois was named vice president of the World Peace Congress. His leadership in global peace efforts reflected his ongoing commitment to Pan-Africanism and opposition to war and colonialism.
August 21, 1963
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. leads Birmingham campaign
On this day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders continued their efforts in Birmingham, Alabama, to end segregation and promote racial equality. The Birmingham campaign helped draw national attention to the civil rights struggle in the United States.
August 21, 1971
George Jackson killed in San Quentin prison
On this day, George Jackson, a member of the Black Panther Party and a prominent prison activist, was killed during an alleged escape attempt at San Quentin prison. His death became a rallying point for the Black liberation movement and protests against systemic racism and prison conditions.
August 21, 1986
Lake Nyos disaster in Cameroon
On this day, a sudden release of carbon dioxide from Lake Nyos in Cameroon suffocated over 1,700 people and thousands of livestock. The disaster raised awareness about volcanic activity in Africa and its potential deadly consequences for nearby communities.
August 21, 2001
Rwanda commemorates "National Harvest Day"
On this day, Rwanda held its annual celebration of National Harvest Day, honoring the agricultural contributions of its citizens. The day promotes self-sufficiency and acknowledges the importance of agriculture in the nation’s economy and post-genocide recovery.
August 21, 2011
Libyan rebels capture Tripoli from Gaddafi forces
On this day, Libyan rebels took control of Tripoli, marking a turning point in the Libyan Civil War. The capture of the capital ultimately led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi's regime and the reshaping of Libya’s political landscape.