On this day

21 July in history.

5 moments from 1925 to 2012: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

French map of the first world circumnavigation of Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastián Elcano , from 1519 to 1522

2012

Home after five years of human power. Erden Eruç returned to California after rowing, cycling and walking around the world, the first solo journey of its kind.

Wikipedia: Erden Eruç

Photo: Magellan_Elcano_Circumnavigation-fr.svg : Sémhur derivative work: Uxbona ( talk ) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

More from 21 July

  1. Sir Malcolm Campbell

    1925

    Over 150 miles per hour

    Malcolm Campbell drove his car Blue Bird at over 150 mph on Pendine Sands in Wales, a land speed record.

    Wikipedia: Malcolm Campbell

    Photo: Richard LeSesne / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. The logo of the International Mathematical Olympiad

    1959

    The first Maths Olympiad

    Students from seven countries met in Romania for the first International Mathematical Olympiad.

    Wikipedia: International Mathematical Olympiad

    Photo: International Mathematical Olympiad / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Aswan High Dam

    1970

    The Aswan High Dam is finished

    After 11 years of work, Egypt completed the dam on the Nile, controlling floods and producing power.

    Wikipedia: Aswan High Dam

    Photo: NASA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. 1970s personal photo at the Meadows racetrack in Pennsylvania

    1979

    A star for Jay Silverheels

    Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto, became the first Native American actor with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Wikipedia: Jay Silverheels

    Photo: DAVilla at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.