People look at the remains of a destroyed house on Mahahual's beach, 80 km from Chetumal, 22 August 2007, after the passage of Hurricane Dean., which made landfall in the beaches of Mexico on August 21, 2007.placeholder image
People look at the remains of a destroyed house on Mahahual's beach, 80 km from Chetumal, 22 August 2007, after the passage of Hurricane Dean., which made landfall in the beaches of Mexico on August 21, 2007.

On this day: 12 historical events that took place on August 21

By Matthew Elder
Published 21st Aug 2020, 17:14 GMT

A look back through time from Hurricane Dean to the Battle of Dunkeld

Take a scroll through a selection of historical events that took place on August 21.

Ian Botham took a world record 356th Test wicket for England against New Zealand at The Oval.

5. 1986

Ian Botham took a world record 356th Test wicket for England against New Zealand at The Oval. Photo: Getty Images

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US runner Mary Decker (right) set a new women’s world record of 4:16.71 for the mile.

6. 1985

US runner Mary Decker (right) set a new women’s world record of 4:16.71 for the mile. Photo: Steve Powell

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Glasgow-born Don Cameron and Mark Yarry became the first people to fly a hot air balloon over the Alps. Stock image. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

7. 1971

Glasgow-born Don Cameron and Mark Yarry became the first people to fly a hot air balloon over the Alps. Stock image. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Photo: Matthias Schrader

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The Social Democratic and Labour Party was founded in Northern Ireland, with Gerry Fitt (pictured) as its first leader.

8. 1970

The Social Democratic and Labour Party was founded in Northern Ireland, with Gerry Fitt (pictured) as its first leader. Photo: Powell

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