The almanac
The 2021 Edition
Limited to about 133 million copies: the babies born worldwide in 2021. About 129 million are still in circulation.
Estimates from the UN World Population Prospects 2024. How we count
What happened in 2021
- Drivers License debuted at No. 1Olivia Rodrigo's breakup ballad entered the Billboard Hot 100 at the top.January 23 · Source: Billboard
- Perseverance landed on MarsNASA's rover touched down in Jezero Crater to search for signs of ancient life.February 18 · Source: NASA
- A helicopter flew on MarsIngenuity made the first powered flight on another planet, then flew 72 times in all.April 19 · Source: NASA
- Tokyo hosted the delayed Summer OlympicsThe 2020 Games opened a year late, in July 2021.July 23 · Source: Olympedia
- Spider-Man: No Way Home openedThree generations of movie Spider-Men swung into the same story.December 17 · Source: The Numbers
- The James Webb Space Telescope launchedThe giant golden-mirrored observatory lifted off on Christmas Day.December 25 · Source: NASA
No. 1 songs of 2021
- All I Want For Christmas Is YouMariah Carey · first week at No. 1: January 2, 2021
- Mood24kGoldn Featuring iann dior · first week at No. 1: January 9, 2021
- Drivers LicenseOlivia Rodrigo · first week at No. 1: January 23, 2021
- What's NextDrake · first week at No. 1: March 20, 2021
- UpCardi B · first week at No. 1: March 27, 2021
- PeachesJustin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon · first week at No. 1: April 3, 2021
- Montero (Call Me By Your Name)Lil Nas X · first week at No. 1: April 10, 2021
- Leave The Door OpenSilk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) · first week at No. 1: April 17, 2021
- RapstarPolo G · first week at No. 1: April 24, 2021
- Save Your TearsThe Weeknd & Ariana Grande · first week at No. 1: May 8, 2021
- Good 4 UOlivia Rodrigo · first week at No. 1: May 29, 2021
- ButterBTS · first week at No. 1: June 5, 2021
- Permission To DanceBTS · first week at No. 1: July 24, 2021
- StayThe Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber · first week at No. 1: August 14, 2021
- Way 2 SexyDrake Featuring Future & Young Thug · first week at No. 1: September 18, 2021
- My UniverseColdplay x BTS · first week at No. 1: October 9, 2021
- Industry BabyLil Nas X & Jack Harlow · first week at No. 1: October 23, 2021
- Easy On MeAdele · first week at No. 1: October 30, 2021
- All Too Well (Taylor's Version)Taylor Swift · first week at No. 1: November 27, 2021
Billboard Hot 100, chart weeks of 2021. Spotted a mistake?
If you were born in 2021
- Older than the 2024 eclipseA total solar eclipse crossed Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, 2024.
- Younger than the PlayStation 5The PlayStation 5 went on sale in the US and six other markets on November 12, 2020.
- Younger than the first black hole photoAstronomers released the first image of a black hole on April 10, 2019.
- Younger than Pokémon GOPokémon GO was released (month only; the day is not given by the source) on July 1, 2016.