TO: Our Favorite Subscribers FROM: The NDC Team SUBJECT: How to Properly Celebrate May 21, 2026
Greetings!
Four celebrations to focus on for the 21st:
1. THE OFFICE PAPER TRAIL - It is officially National Memo Day. Long before instant messaging channels and endless email threads, the humble paper memo ruled the world. To celebrate, your assignment today is to keep all communication short, sweet, and strictly to the point.
2. THE HOSPITALITY HEROES - Happy National Waitstaff Day! Today we shine a massive spotlight on the restaurant servers who keep the coffee hot, remember our weird custom orders, and hustle on their feet all day. If you eat out today, make sure to show them some extra kindness (and a generous tip!).
3. THE LEGACY OF COMPASSION - Today is American Red Cross Founder’s Day, marking the anniversary of the day Clara Barton founded the organization in 1881. Barton was a visionary trailblazer who risked everything to care for others. It’s a great day to learn about her legacy or support a local blood drive.
4. THE PERFECT SPRING DESSERT - When the workday is over, clock out with a bowl of National Strawberries and Cream Day. Simple, elegant, and perfectly sweet—it’s the ultimate taste of mid-May.
THE MAY 21st CHALLENGE: Send a highly efficient, old-school "memo" to a colleague, be exceptionally nice to a restaurant server, and eat at least one strawberry.
Roller coaster designer who was responsible for the revival of wooden roller coasters in the 1960s
1912
John Curtis Gowan
Born: May 21, 1912
Died: December 2, 1986
Psychologist whose studies of gifted children were the foundation of analysis of highly intelligent adolescence.
1920
Forrest White
Born: May 21, 1920
Died: November 22, 1994
Co-founder of the Music Man Company and known for his association with Fender Musical Instrument Corporation.
1923
Bettye Danoff
Born: May 21, 1923
Died: December 22, 2011
Professional golfer and a co-founder of the LPGA Tour.
1952
Mr. T
Born: May 21, 1952
Actor and retired professional wrestler The A-Team and Clubber Lang in film Rocky III.
1955
Stan Lynch
Born: May 21, 1955
Original drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
1972
The Notorious B.I.G.
Born: May 21, 1972
Died: March 9, 1997
Also known as Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G. an American rapper and songwriter. He's widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time with his vivid storytelling, sharp lyrics, and effortless flow.
2026
Glenn Hammond Curtiss
Born: May 21, 2026
Died: July 23, 1930
Founder of the U.S. aviation industry and inventor of the hydroplane.
2026
Ella Stewart Udall
Born: May 21, 2026
Died: May 27, 1937
The first telegraphist in Arizona territory.
Historical Events on May 21
Events that occurred on May 21 throughout history
1819
The first bicycles are introduced in the U.S.
The first bicycles, called swift walkers, are introduced in the U.S. . The bicycles were pedal-less, requiring riders to move quickly by pushing their feet against the ground.
1846
The first 1st steamship arrives in Hawaii
The first 1st steamship, The Cormorant, arrives in Honolulu, Hawaii. The steamship allowed for regular, faster service for cargo, mail, and travelers, fostering the development of "Boat Days" in Honolulu, where crowds gathered for arrivals.
1861
Richmond, Virginia, is designated the Confederate Capital.
The Confederate Capital is moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia.
1881
The U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association is established.
The U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association is established in NYC, New York, to regulate the growing game of lawn tennis in the U.S. and organize formal championships. Today, the organization is know as the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) and governing body for tennis and runs the U.S. Open.
1881
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. to provide disaster relief and emergency aid in peacetime, not just war.
1908
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde premieres in Chicago.
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde premieres in Chicago and becomes the first horror movie in the U.S.
1917
Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI.
Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI shortly after the U.S. declared war and enacted the Selective Service Act of 1917.
1918
The U.S. House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote. While the 19th Amendment legally barred states from denying the vote based on sex, millions of women of color, particularly in the South, continued to face discriminatory voting restrictions for decades until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1934
Oskaloosa, Iowa, becomes the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint its citizens.
Oskaloosa, Iowa, becomes the first city in the U.S. to fingerprint its citizens. The bill was aimed at identifying kidnapped children and stopping criminals during the Great Depression.
1980
Jean Marie Butler becomes the first woman to graduate from U.S. Coast Guard.
Jean Marie Butler becomes the first woman to graduate from U.S. Coast Guard. She was also the first woman to graduate from any U.S. armed forces service academy.
1992
Johnny Carson hosts his last episode of the Tonight Show after 30 seasons.
Johnny Carson hosts his last episode of the Tonight Show after 30 seasons. Over 50 million people tuned it to watch the episode. No guests were on the final show, instead focusing on highlights from 4,531 episodes.
2005
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, opens opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka, opens opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The roller coaster was officially closed on November 10, 2024.
2017
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their final show at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The circus started in 1919 when the Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth.
2019
Washington is the first state to legalize human composting.
Washington state becomes the first state to legalize human composting. The process involves placing a body in a vessel with materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw to break down into nutrient-rich soil. The soil produced can be returned to families for use in planting trees, flowers, or for conservation efforts, providing a way to return nutrients back to the land.
CLOSING COMMENTS: In the spirit of National Memo Day, let the record show that we have officially updated our emails. We know a few stakeholders preferred the old, dry templates, but the creative department has ruled that adding a bit of flavor and wit makes the daily workflow 100% better. Plus, it is one heck of a lot more fun around here!!
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