What Happened on April 21?

April 21 is National Kindergarten Day — honoring early childhood education — and the traditional date Rome was founded in 753 BCE, Texas won independence at San Jacinto, and Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926.

• 1836 — Texas wins independence at the Battle of San Jacinto

  On April 21, 1836, Texian forces led by Sam Houston surprised the Mexican army near the San Jacinto River — a decisive 18-minute battle that secured Texas independence. Read the full story →

• 1871 — Rome becomes the capital of a unified Italy

  On April 21, 1871, Rome officially became the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy — a modern milestone on the date Romans had long celebrated as the city's legendary birthday. Read the full story →

• 1918 — World War I flying ace the Red Baron is shot down over France

  On April 21, 1918, German pilot Manfred von Richthofen — the 'Red Baron' with 80 aerial victories — was killed when his red Fokker triplane crashed behind Allied lines. Read the full story →

• 1926 — Princess Elizabeth — future Queen Elizabeth II — is born in London

  Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street — third in line to the throne, never expecting to become Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Read the full story →

• 1960 — Brazil inaugurates Brasília as its new capital city

  On April 21, 1960, President Juscelino Kubitschek officially opened Brasília — a planned city built in three years on Brazil's central plateau to move the capital inland from Rio de Janeiro. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) · Tony Danza (1951) · Robert Smith (1959) · Max Weber (1881–1961)

Days & observances

National Kindergarten Day · Natale di Roma (Rome's Birthday) · National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day · National Yellow Rose Day