21 October

21 October is the 294th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, one of the most widely used calendars in the world. In leap years it is the 295th day. There are 71 days remaining until the end of the year.

This date falls in the tenth month of the year. The astrological sign associated with it is Libra or Scorpio, depending on the year and the system of calculation used.

Historical significance in Somalia

On 21 October 1969, the Somali armed forces seized power following the assassination of President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke. The Supreme Revolutionary Council took control of the state, and Muhammad Siad Barre became the leader. This date was observed as a national holiday called "Revolution Day" (Maalinta Kacaanka) throughout the military rule from 1969 to 1991.

Other global events

On 21 October 1805, the naval Battle of Trafalgar took place, in which British ships engaged those of France and Spain; the British commander Horatio Nelson died in the battle. In 1879, the date is associated with Thomas Edison's development of the electric lamp, though historical sources differ on the precise date.

Calendar calculation

In the Julian calendar, 21 October falls on a later date than in the Gregorian calendar; there is a difference of approximately 13 days in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Some Orthodox churches still use the Julian calendar for calculating Easter.