March 21

What happened on March 21 in history

3 events fall on March 21, from 1685 to 1960. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

Guess where and when

Explore a 360° historical scene and place it on the map and the timeline. Free, no sign-up.

Play today's challenge

Events on March 21

  1. 1685

    Johann Sebastian Bach is born

    The composer is born at Eisenach into a family of town musicians.

    Play the Exploration & revolution round

  2. 1804

    The Napoleonic Code is adopted

    France's civil code reshapes law across continental Europe.

    Play the 19th century round

  3. 1960

    The Sharpeville massacre

    South African police fire on a pass-law protest, killing sixty-nine.

    Play the 20th century round