1703
Edinburgh Fire Brigade, one of the first in Scotland, formed.
Scotland
In the early 18th century, urban fire was a constant and devastating threat due to the construction materials used (primarily wood) and the close proximity of buildings. …
Celtic history archive
April 21
Browse all events for April 21.
1738
A Mr Lorimer, receiver of Sir Arthur Acheson, is killed in a duel
Ireland
Sir Arthur Acheson, 5th Baronet (26 January 1688 – 8 February 1748) was an Irish politician and baronet. The son of Sir Nicholas Acheson, 4th Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetcy …
1816
Charlotte Bronte, author of Jane Eyre, is born
England
Charlotte Brontë (21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855) was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters who survived into adulthood and whose novels became …
1838
John Muir, pioneering conservationist and founder of Yosemite National Park, born in Dunbar.
Unitedstates
John Muir (April 21, 1838 – December 24, 1914), also known as “John of the Mountains” and “Father of the National Parks”, was a Scottish-born American: 42 …
1871
John Fitzpatrick, Labor leader and Irish nationalist is born in Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Ireland
John Fitzpatrick (1871–1946) was an Irish-born American trade union leader. He is best remembered as the longtime head of the powerful Chicago Federation of Labor, from 1906 until …
1874
Walter Wilson, mechanical engineer, designer of cars and tanks, is born in Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Ireland
Major Walter Gordon Wilson CMG (21 April 1874 – 1 July 1957) was an Irish mechanical engineer, inventor and member of the British Royal Naval Air Service. He was credited by the …
1879
Birth of novelist Maurice Walsh in Listowel
Ireland
Maurice Walsh (21 April 1879 – 18 February 1964) was an Irish novelist, now best known for his short story “The Quiet Man”, later made into the Oscar-winning film The …
1907
The nationalist groups, Cumman na nGaedheal and Dungannon Clubs, combine to form the Sinn Féin (Ourselves) League
Ireland
In April 1907, Cumann na nGaedheal and the Dungannon Clubs merged as the ‘Sinn Féin League’. Negotiations continued until August when, at the National Council annual …
1912
The Aud arrives at Banna Strand, Co. Kerry, from Germany with 20,000 rifles for use of the Volunteers in the Easter Uprising
Ireland
Banna Strand is associated with Roger Casement who was captured on April 21, 1916, while attempting to land arms for Irish Republicans from the German vessel the Aud. Banana Strand …
1926
The future Queen Elizabeth II born
England
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in …