Today in History: Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon in 1969

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on July 21 throughout history:

365 AD – Crete earthquake and Alexandria tsunami
A powerful earthquake near Crete triggered a tsunami that struck Alexandria, Egypt, on July 21, 365 AD, killing as many as 50,000 people.

1831 – Leopold I sworn as Belgium’s monarch
Following Belgium’s independence, Leopold I took his oath of office on July 21, 1831, an act now commemorated as Belgium’s National Day.

1861 – First Battle of Bull Run
The first major land engagement of the U.S. Civil War occurred on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia.

1865 – Wild Bill Hickok kills Dave Tutt
In Springfield, Missouri, the famous quick‑draw duel unfolded on July 21, 1865.

1873 – Jesse James commits first train robbery
On July 21, 1873, Jesse James and his gang executed the first moving train robbery in U.S. history near Adair, Iowa.

1925 – Scopes “Monkey” Trial verdict
John T. Scopes was convicted and fined on July 21, 1925, in Tennessee for teaching evolution, marking a pivotal moment in the science–religion debate.

1960 – Canada extends voting rights to First Nations on reserves
The Canada Elections Act was amended on July 21, 1960, granting Indigenous peoples living on reserves full federal voting rights.

1961 – Gus Grissom flies in Liberty Bell 7
Gus Grissom piloted the Mercury–Redstone 4 mission on July 21, 1961, making him the second American astronaut in space.

1969 – Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon
At 02:56 UTC on July 21, 1969, after landing the Lunar Module “Eagle” at 20:17 UTC on July 20, Commander Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon, famously stating, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Buzz Aldrin followed 19 minutes later.

1970 – Completion of the Aswan High Dam
The Aswan High Dam in Egypt was officially inaugurated on July 21, 1970, revolutionizing Nile flood control, irrigation, and power production.