Ancient Wonders Burn, A New Nation Fights!
Welcome to July 21st, a day packed with history that feels like a blockbuster movie! We're talking about the start of a massive war, a famous author's birthday, and even the very last time NASA's giant Space Shuttles flew into orbit. It’s a date that shows how much humans can build up and tear down—sometimes all in the same century!
Did you know that on this very day, an ancient wonder of the world was deliberately destroyed by someone who just wanted his name remembered? Later, the very first shots of a huge war in America were fired! It proves that history isn't just dusty books; it’s full of dramatic choices made by real people.
What Happened on This Day
Ancient Wonder Burned by Arsonist
Imagine one of the world's greatest buildings, the massive Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, going up in flames! This happened on July 21, 356 BC, thanks to an arsonist named Herostratus. He burned it down just so he could be famous—talk about a bad claim to fame! To stop this, people banned anyone from ever saying his name. Talk about an epic fail for a fame-seeker!
Napoleon Wins the Battle of the Pyramids
French general Napoleon Bonaparte was on a big adventure in Egypt! On July 21, 1798, his army used a super clever new tactic—a huge, square formation—to defeat the Egyptian forces near the famous pyramids. Napoleon told his soldiers that 'Forty centuries look down upon you!' to motivate them. It was a major win that helped him conquer more of the area.
First Big Battle of the Civil War
The American Civil War kicked off with a bang on July 21, 1861, at the First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas). People on both sides thought the war would be over in a few weeks, but this battle proved them wrong! When the Confederate troops won, everyone realized this was going to be a long, tough fight. It was a massive wake-up call for the Union Army.
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The Famous 'Monkey Trial' Verdict
High school teacher John Scopes was on trial in Tennessee for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution—a big no-no back then! This crazy court case, nicknamed the 'Monkey Trial,' was a showdown between science and tradition. Scopes was found guilty and fined $100. It was one of the first times science vs. belief was fought out in the national news! (Don't worry, the conviction was later overturned!).
The Final Flight of the Space Shuttle Era
Saying goodbye to the Space Shuttle! On July 21, 2011, the Space Shuttle Atlantis landed for the very last time, officially ending NASA's 30-year shuttle program. These amazing, reusable spacecraft flew astronauts and built the International Space Station. It was the end of an era of giant, winged space planes, kicking off a new chapter in space travel. What a send-off!
Learn moreFun Facts About July 21
- The Temple of Artemis was one of only Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
- The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was on this day in Antarctica, in 1983!
- The first major 'Western' gunfight between Wild Bill Hickok and David Tutt happened on this day in 1865.
- The last crew on a Space Shuttle mission was just four astronauts, the smallest in years!
A Look Back in Time
July 21st often brings dramatic turning points! In ancient times, it saw the destructive act against the Temple of Artemis, showing how people dealt with fame and destruction. Jumping forward to the 1860s, the Civil War started with the North getting a big shock at Bull Run, showing that sometimes history doesn't follow the easy plan. Later, the 20th century saw trials about science vs. tradition, and the high-tech end of the Space Shuttle era, reminding us that human progress is always a mix of conflict and incredible innovation.
Born on This Day
Ernest Hemingway
This guy was a super famous American author and journalist known for writing short, punchy sentences that packed a huge punch! He wrote awesome adventure stories and won a Nobel Prize for Literature. Maybe try reading a short story of his to see what we mean!
Robin Williams
A comedy legend whose mind worked faster than lightning! Robin Williams could make up funny voices and characters instantly, which made him a huge movie star. From silly comedies to heartfelt dramas, he made millions of people laugh until they cried.
Marshall McLuhan
Marshall McLuhan was a super smart thinker who came up with famous ideas like 'The medium is the message' and 'the global village.' He tried to figure out how new technology, like TV and computers, would change the way people talk and live together all over the world.
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Alexander the Great
Yep, the super-famous king of Macedon! As a teenager, he learned from a legendary teacher, Aristotle. Soon after, he became king and led his army to conquer a massive empire, stretching from Greece all the way to India. He earned the name 'the Great' for his amazing military victories!
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