On This day May 21st

 OTD

May 21st is the one-hundred-forty-first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 224 days remain until the end of the year.

 

Events

878 – Syracuse, Sicily, is captured by the Muslim Aghlabids after a nine-month siege.

1349 – Dušan's Code, the constitution of the Serbian Empire, is enacted by Dušan the Mighty.

1554 – Queen Mary I grants a royal charter to Derby School as a grammar school for boys in Derby, England.

1703 – Daniel Defoe is imprisoned on charges of seditious libel.

1792 – A lava dome collapses on Mount Unzen, near Shimbara on the Japanese island of Kyūshū, creating a deadly tsunami that killed nearly 15,000 people.

1881—Clara Barton established the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. This is a significant milestone in the history of humanitarian aid and disaster relief, marking the birth of an organization that continues to serve and save lives to this day.

1904 – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris.

1927 – Charles Lindbergh touches down at Le Bourget Field in Paris, completing the world's first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

1932 – Bad weather forces Amelia Earhart to land in a pasture in Derry, Northern Ireland, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

1972 – Michelangelo's Pietà in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is damaged by a vandal, the mentally disturbed Hungarian geologist Laszlo Toth.

1992 – After 30 seasons, Johnny Carson hosted his penultimate episode and last featuring guests (Robin Williams and Bette Midler) of The Tonight Show.

 

Birthdays

1471 – Albrecht Dürer, German painter, engraver, and mathematician (d. 1528)

1780 – Elizabeth Fry, English prison reformer, philanthropist, and Quaker (d. 1845

1799 – Mary Anning, English paleontologist (d. 1847)

1855 – Ella Stewart Udall, American telegraphist (d. 1937)

1898 – John McLaughlin, American painter and translator (d. 1976)

1904 – Fats Waller, American singer-songwriter and pianist (d. 1943)

1923 – Ara Parseghian, American football player and coach (d. 2017)

1952 – Mr. T, American actor and wrestler.

1972 – The Notorious B.I.G., American rapper (d. 1997)

 

Holiday Highlight

International Tea Day

In 2005, tea-producing countries came together to celebrate International Tea Day. These countries were Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and Uganda. In 2019, the Intergovernmental Group on Tea decided to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21. The U.N. said yes to the celebrations on December 21, 2019. The first official U.N. International Tea Day was celebrated on May 21, 2020.

With its rich history and cultural significance, tea is not just a beverage but a symbol of tradition and heritage. As the world population grows, so does the number of tea drinkers. India and China, with their deep-rooted tea cultures, alone account for 37% of the world’s total population, a testament to tea's enduring popularity and universal appeal. According to legend, Emperor Shen Hung of China discovered tea when leaves from a tree blew into his pot of boiling water, a serendipitous event that has shaped human history.

Beyond its delightful taste, tea offers a plethora of health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, it can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, aid in weight loss, protect the bones, prevent tooth loss, boost the immune system, help battle cancer, soothe the digestive system, and promote relaxation. Regular tea consumption, at least three times a week, has been linked to a lower risk of premature death. Green tea, in particular, is renowned for its numerous health benefits, making it a wise choice for health-conscious individuals.

 

Holidays And Observance

American Red Cross Founder's Day

End of the World or Rapture Party Day

I Need a Patch for That Day

International Tea Day

National Memo Day

National Strawberries and Cream Day

National Waiters and Waitresses Day

Sister Maria Hummel Day

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

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