April 21 - John Muir's Birthday

John Muir's Birthday

This Day In History

1794

New York City formally declares coast of Ellis Island publically owned, so they can build forts to protect New York City from British

1895

In New York City, the Eidoloscope Projector (aka the Panoptikon) was demonstrated for the NY press - one of the first public exhibitions of motion pictures in the world.

1934

The "Surgeon's Photograph", the most famous photo allegedly showing the Loch Ness Monster, is published in the Daily Mail.

1964

The Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opens. It is the first World's Fair in the United States since World War II.

1970

The Hutt River Province Principality secedes from Australia.

1982

Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to record 300 saves.

1994

The first discoveries of extrasolar planets are announced by astronomer Alexander Wolszczan.

Famous Birthdays

1729

Catherine II of Russia, known as 'Catherine the Great' (d. 1796)

1774

Jean-Baptiste Biot, French physicist (d. 1862)

1816

Charlotte Brontë, English author (d. 1855)

1838

John Muir, Scottish-born American environmentalist (d. 1914)

1870

Edwin S. Porter, American film pioneer (d. 1941)

1915

Anthony Quinn, Mexican-born American actor (d. 2001)

1923

John Mortimer, English barrister and writer (d. 2009)

1926

Elizabeth II, Queen of the Commonwealth realms

1935

Thomas Kean, American politician

1947

Barbara Park, American author of children's books

1958

Andie MacDowell, American actress

1959

Robert Smith, British musician