October 21

Saturday 21, 1967:

Vietnam War: More than 100,000 war protesters gather in Washington, DC. A peaceful rally at the Lincoln Memorial is followed by a march to The Pentagon and clashes with soldiers and United States Marshals protecting the facility (event lasts until October 23; 683 people will be arrested). Similar demonstrations occurred simultaneously in Japan and Western Europe.

Wednesday 21, 1959:

US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order transferring Wernher von Braun and other German scientists from the United States Army to NASA.

Sunday 21, 1945:

Argentine military officer and politician Juan Perón married actress Evita.

Friday 21, 1921:

President Warren G. Harding delivers the first speech by a sitting President against lynching in the deep south.

Monday 21, 1861:

Union forces under Colonel Edward Baker are defeated by Confederate troops in the second major battle of the war. Baker, a close friend of Abraham Lincoln, is killed in the fighting.