Today In History February 21

1599 Shakespeare leases marshland on the Thames River

William Shakespeare joins seven other men in signing a lease on a Southwark lot along the Thames. The playwright now owns a share in what will become the Globe Theatre, where some of his most memorable plays will first be staged, including ‘Julius Caesar,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Othello,’ ‘King Lear,’ and ‘Hamlet.’

1804 World’s first steam train railway journey

The steam train makes its maiden run, as Richard Trevithick and his locomotive embark on a rail journey between the Penydarren Ironworks to Abercynon in South Wales, reaching a speed of 5 mph on the 9-mile trip.

train with smoke — Photo by Gabriela Palai on Pexels.com

BIRTHDAYS

1964

Scott Kelly. Scott Kelly is a retired American astronaut who’s served on four space flights in his …

1933

Legendary performer Nina Simone sang a mix of jazz, blues and folk music in the 1950s and ’60s, later enjoying a career resurgence in the ’80s. A staunch Civil Rights activist, she was known for tunes like “Mississippi Goddam,” “Young, Gifted and Black” and “Four Women.”

1979

Talented performer Tituss Burgess is best known for his roles on ’30 Rock’ and ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.’

1927

Iconic French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy was known for his elegant haute couture designs and years-long professional relationship with Audrey Hepburn.