What Happened on May 21, 1944

Historical Events

  • WWII: West Loch Disaster - explosion during munition loading kills at least 160 sailors, injures nearly 400, destroys six ships and damages 3 piers and several buildings at Pearl Harbor U.S. Naval Base in Oahu, Hawaii; details were kept classified until the early 1960s

Famous Birthdays

  • Janet Dailey, American Romance author, born in Storm Lake, Iowa (d. 2013)
  • Manual Pina, Spanish fashion designer (d. 1994)
  • Marcie Blane [Blank], American pop singer (Bobby's Girl), born in Brooklyn, New York
  • Mary Robinson, Irish politician, President of the Republic of Ireland (1990-97), born in Ballina, Ireland

Famous Weddings

Burgess Meredith

American actor Burgess Meredith (36) weds American actress Paulette Goddard (33) at film studio executive David O. Selznick's Beverly Hills home - third time for each; divorce in 1949

Died in 1944 1944 Highlights

About May 21, 1944

Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 79 years, 11 months and 4 days
Leap Year: Yes

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Gemini