21 October in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed, and remembered for various reasons. 21 October is the birth anniversary of Farooq Abdullah, Surjit Singh Barnala, and Ashok Lavasa.
21 October is also observed as the death anniversary of Yash Raj Chopra.
Birth Anniversary
21 October in Indian history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:
Farooq Abdullah (21 October 1937) is a famous politician from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He has been the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir state. Apart from this, he has also been the Minister of New and Renewable Energy in the Central Government.
Surjit Singh Barnala (October 21, 1925 – January 14, 2017) was a politician and former Chief Minister of Shiromani Akali Dal, a political party active in Punjab. He was the Chief Minister of Punjab from 29 September 1985 to 11 June 1987.
Ashok Lavasa (October 21, 1957) is a former Election Commissioner of India. He is a retired IAS officer of 1980 batch. His place has now been given to Rajiv Kumar, a retired 1984 batch IAS officer. Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa has resigned from the post.
Read More: 20 October in Indian and World History
Death Anniversary
21 October in Indian history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:
Yash Raj Chopra (September 27, 1932 – 21 October 2012) is a famous film director, screenwriter and film producer of Indian Hindi cinema. Yash Chopra is called the “King of Romance” of Hindi cinema. Yash Chopra, who has made many excellent and romantic films like Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Darr, Chandni, Silsila, Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer Zara, has given new meaning to romance and love on screen.
Read More: 19 October in Indian and World History
Notable events on 21 October in Indian and World History
21 October 1296 – Alauddin Khilji took over the throne of Delhi.
21 October 1555 – The Parliament of England refused to recognize Philip as the king of Spain.
21 October 1727 – Russia and China made agreements to correct the borders.
21 October 1854 – Florence Nightingale was sent to the Crimean War with a staff of 38 nurses.
21 October 1871 – The first amateur outdoor athletic game took place in America (New York).
21 October 1911 – Mary Blair, a pioneering American artist known for her exceptional contributions to animation and illustration was born.
21 October 1918 – Margaret Owen set a world record with a typing speed of 170 vpm in 1 minute.
21 October 1925 – Celia Cruz an iconic Cuban-American singer, known as the “Queen of Salsa.” Her remarkable career, which spanned over five decades, left an indelible mark on the world of Latin music.
21 October 1934 – Jayaprakash Narayan formed the Congress Socialist Party.
21 October 1934 – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose established Azad Hind Fauj in Singapore.
21 October 1942 – Christopher A. Sims, a Czech American biochemist, and Nobel Prize Laureate, was born.
21 October 1945 – Women got the right to vote for the first time in France.
21 October 1948 – The United Nations rejected Russia’s proposal to destroy nuclear weapons.
21 October 1951 – Bharatiya Jana Sangh was established.
21 October 1954 – India and France signed an agreement to annex Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Mahe into the Republic of India. This agreement came into effect from 1 November.
21 October 1957 – Wolfgang Ketterle, a Czech American biochemist, and Nobel Prize Laureate, was born.
21 October 1958 – Andre Geim, a Russian-born Dutch–British physicist, and Nobel Prize Laureate, was born.
21 October 1999 – Sukarno’s daughter Meghawati was elected Vice-President of Indonesia.
21 October 2003 – Naval exercises between China and Pakistan begin. China launched two satellites from 4-B carrier rocket.
21 October 2005 – Pakistan’s Mukhtaran Mai, a victim of gang rape, was chosen ‘Woman of the Year’.
Important Days
National Police Commemoration Day is marked every year on October 21 to commemorate the police officers who have sacrificed their lives in the course of service. It was in 1960 that an Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories was organized to observe October 21 as the National Police Commemoration Day. The day is set to honor the Bravehearts who protect the citizens of the country and are responsible for the enforcement of law and order. Police Commemoration Day is also observed as Martyr’s Day in all police forces across India.
World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed on October 21st each year to raise awareness about the importance of iodine in maintaining good health and preventing iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). Iodine is an essential micronutrient crucial for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and the production of thyroid hormones. Insufficient iodine intake can lead to a range of health issues, including goiter, hypothyroidism, and impaired cognitive development, particularly in children and pregnant women.