July 21st
1861
Confederate forces won victory at Bull Run in the first major battle of the Civil War.
1873
The first train robbery west of the Mississippi was pulled off by Jesse James and his gang.
1925
In the "Monkey Trial," John T. Scopes was found guilty of violating Tennessee state law by teaching evolution.
1949
The U.S. Senate ratified the North Atlantic Treaty.
1970
The Aswan High Dam was opened in Egypt.
1987
Guns 'n Roses released their debut album, "Appetite For Destruction."
1998
Astronaut Alan Shepard died at age 74.
Birthdays
87 Kay Starr Singer
83 Paul Burke Actor
71 Janet Reno Former attorney general
67 Patricia Elliot Actress ("One Life To Live")
66 David Downing Actor
66 Edward Herrmann Actor ("Gilmore Girls")
64 Leigh Lawson Actor
62 Wendell Burton Actor
61 Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) Singer-songwriter
61 Art Hindle Actor
61 Garry Trudeau Cartoonist ("Doonesbury")
58 Robin Williams Actor, comedian
56 Eric Bazilian Rock musician (The Hooters)
52 Jon Lovitz Actor, comedian ("Saturday Night Live")
49 Lance Guest Actor
49 Matt Mulhern Actor
46 Greg Behrendt Comedian, author
43 Koen Lieckens Rock musician (K's Choice)
40 Emerson Hart Rock singer
37 Paul Brandt Country singer
36 Ali Landry Actress
31 Josh Hartnett Actor
31 Damian Marley Reggae singer
31 Brad Mates Country singer (Emerson Drive)
29 Sprague Grayden Actress ("24")
29 C.C. Sabathia Baseball player (New York Yankees)
25 Johan Carlsson Rock musician (Carolina Liar)
24 Vanessa Lengies Actress ("American Dreams")
20 Jamie Waylett Actor ("Harry Potter" films)
61 Ernest Hemingway 7/21/1899 - 7/2/1961 American Nobel Prize-winning (1954) novelist and short story writer
81 Don Knotts 7/21/1924 - 2/24/2006 American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (a role which earned him five Emmy Awards), and as landlord Ralph Furley on the television sitcom Three’s Company in the 1980s