On 21 September in poetry and history
Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.
610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue
2 birthdays · 1 death anniversary · 6 world events on 21 September
Birthdays
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Edmund William Gosse
21 September 1849 – 16 May 1928 (~79)
Born 21 September 1849 — would have been 177 in 2026
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Strickland Gillilan
21 September 1869 – 25 April 1954 (~85)
Born 21 September 1869 — would have been 157 in 2026
Death anniversaries
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Sir Walter Scott
15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832 (~61)
Died 21 September 1832 — 194 years ago on this date
World events on this day
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The Murder of King Edward II
King Edward II of England was murdered on September 21, 1327, at Berkeley Castle. He was deposed earlier that year by his wife Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer. His death was a violent and controversial event that marked the end of his turbulent reign and the beginning of the reign of his young son, Edward III.
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The Oppau Nitrate Explosion
A silo containing 4,500 tonnes of a mixed ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded at a BASF plant in Oppau, Germany, killing 561 people. Workers had routinely used small dynamite charges to break up clay-like, compacted fertilizer cakes, incorrectly believing the mixture was non-explosive. The massive blast destroyed the surrounding town, formed a giant crater, and was heard over 180 miles away in Frankfurt.
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John of Gaunt marries Constance of Castile, claiming Castilian throne
On September 21, 1371, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III of England, married Constance of Castile, the daughter of the deposed King Pedro I of Castile. Through this marriage, John of Gaunt laid claim to the Castilian throne, a move that would complicate English foreign policy for years to come. The marriage was part of a broader strategy to expand English influence in Iberia and challenged the legitimacy of the newly established Trastámara dynasty.
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Maria W. Stewart's 'Why Sit Ye Here and Die?' Speech
On September 21, 1832, Maria W. Stewart, a free Black woman and former domestic servant, delivered her powerful lecture 'Why Sit Ye Here and Die?' at Franklin Hall in Boston, the meeting site of the New England Anti-Slavery Society. Stewart became the first American woman, Black or white, to speak publicly to a mixed-gender audience on political and social issues. In her address, she condemned the educational and economic discrimination against Black women and called for African Americans to uplift themselves through moral and intellectual improvement. Her speeches, published in pamphlet form, made her a pioneering figure in both abolitionism and women's rights.
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Great New England Hurricane of 1938
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 struck on September 21, causing catastrophic damage across Long Island and New England. This unexpected Category 3 hurricane resulted in over 600 fatalities and widespread destruction from high winds and storm surges. The forecasting failures leading up to the storm highlighted the urgent need for improved meteorological practices, ultimately prompting advancements in weather prediction and warning systems that have since saved countless lives.
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End of the Gold Standard in Britain
In 1931, Britain abandoned the gold standard amid the Great Depression, a pivotal moment that influenced global monetary policy. This decision allowed for greater flexibility in monetary policy and was aimed at stimulating the economy during a time of severe economic distress. The end of the gold standard marked a significant shift in financial systems worldwide, leading to the adoption of more modern monetary frameworks.