On September 21, 1981, the US Senate approved the nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor to the US Supreme Court by a vote of 99-0, making her the first female Supreme Court justice. Learn more about Justice O'Connor from Oyez.

On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 1081, implementing martial law in the Philippines. Marcos used the proclamation not only to suppress a communist insurgency but to eliminate political opponents as well. He remained in power until he was forced from office and into exile by the People Power Revolution in 1986.