February 21
February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 314 days remain until the year's end. It falls in winter (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Pisces.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On February 21 the Sun's declination is approximately -11.2°. At this latitude the Sun is south of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere shorter days than nights.
For specific rise/set times at your location, see the U.S. Naval Observatory, or the NASA APOD archive for any imagery published on a February 21.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
- International Mother Language Day (UN)
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
- 1804 — The first self-propelling steam locomotive made its outing at the Penydarren Ironworks in Wales. ↗(222 years ago)
1848 — Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published The Communist Manifesto in London. ↗(178 years ago)more
The Communist Manifesto originally the Manifesto of the Communist Party is a political pamphlet written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It was commissioned by the Communist League and published in London in 1848.
1885 — The Washington Monument was dedicated. ↗(141 years ago)more
The Washington Monument is a 555-foot (169 m) tall obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, a Founding Father of the United States and the nation's first president.
1965 — Civil-rights leader Malcolm X was assassinated in New York City. ↗(61 years ago)more
Malcolm X was an African American revolutionary and Black nationalist leader who rose from a background of poverty, family disruption, and criminal activity to a prominent figure during the civil rights movement until his assassination in 1965.
Notable births
1801 — John Henry Newman, English theologian and cardinal. ↗(225 years ago)more
John Henry Newman was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was an important figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century.
1924 — Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician. ↗(102 years ago)more
Robert Gabriel Mugabe was a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who led Zimbabwe from 1980 until he was deposed in a coup in 2017. He served as the first Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from internationally recognised independence in 1980 to 1987, then as the second president of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017.
Notable deaths
- 1965 — Malcolm X. ↗(61 years ago)
more
Malcolm X was an African American revolutionary and Black nationalist leader who rose from a background of poverty, family disruption, and criminal activity to a prominent figure during the civil rights movement until his assassination in 1965.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (52) | 2^2 × 13 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (314) | 2 × 157 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 21022026 · no palindrome in next 200 years |
| Sun declination | -11.22° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 63 days |