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What happened on April 21st?
Surge of far-right politics shocked France in unexpected election face-off
Matthew Jones
April 21, 2025
2002 French Presidential Elections Result in Runoff Between Chirac and Le Pen
On April 21, 2002, the French presidential elections resulted in a runoff between incumbent Jacques Chirac and far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen, a surprising outcome that sparked nationwide protests. Chirac won the second round in a landslide, securing 82% of the vote, which solidified his leadership and quelled fears over the rise of far-right politics in France.
This photo, taken on July 16, 1997, shows Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on April 21:
1986 — Journalist Geraldo Rivera opened a vault once owned by infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone, only to find it empty.
1966 — Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica, an important moment in the Rastafarian movement's connection to him.
1934 — The Daily Mail published a photograph that claimed to show the Loch Ness monster, sparking global fascination and controversy.
1836 — General Sam Houston led 800 Texans to victory over the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, securing Texas's independence.
1789 — John Adams took office as the United States' first vice president, paving the way for the nation's future leadership structure.
1526 — Bābur, ruler of Kabul, defeated Sultan Ibrāhīm Lodī at the Battle of Panipat, founding the Mughal Empire in India.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On April 21, we’re singing to:
Charlotte Brontë (1816) — British author best known for her classic novel Jane Eyre, which became a cornerstone of English and early feminist literature.
John Muir (1838) — Scottish-born American naturalist celebrated for his pioneering conservation efforts and the establishment of national parks.
Max Weber (1864) — German sociologist recognized for his influential theories on modern capitalism and the concept of the "Protestant ethic."
Elizabeth II (1926) — Queen of the United Kingdom and the longest-reigning monarch in British history, who served as a symbol of stability throughout decades of change.
Nina Simone (1933) — American singer and activist renowned for her unique voice and her powerful blend of jazz, blues, and civil rights advocacy.
🪦Who Died Today?
On April 21, we’re saying goodbye to:
Mark Twain (1910) — American writer famous for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, capturing the essence of American life in the 19th century.
Muhammad Iqbal (1938) — Pakistani poet, philosopher, and politician regarded as the spiritual father of Pakistan and influential in inspiring the creation of the nation.
Josef Dietrich (1966) — German military officer known for his role in World War II as one of Hitler's top commanders in the Waffen-SS.
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