History for August 21

History for August 21 - On-This-Day.com
William Count Basie 1904, Wilt Chamberlain 1936 , Kenny Rogers 1938 - Country singer 


Clarence Williams III 1939 - Actor ("The Mod Squad," "Purple Rain"), Jackie DeShannon 1944 - Singer, Jim McMahon 1959 


1831 - Nat Turner, a former slave, led a violent insurrection in Virginia. He was later executed.


1841 - A patent for venetian blinds was issued to John Hampton.


1878 - The American Bar Association was formed by a group of lawyers, judges and law professors in Saratoga, NY.



1888 - The adding machine was patented by William Burroughs.


1923 - In Kalamazoo, Michigan, an ordinance was passed forbidding dancers from gazing into the eyes of their partner.


1943 - Japan evacuated the Aleutian island of Kiaska. Kiaska had been the last North American foothold held by the Japanese.


1959 - Hawaii became the 50th state. U.S. President Eisenhower also issued the order for the 50 star flag.


1996 - The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was signed by U.S. President Clinton. The act made it easier to obtain and keep health insurance.