Historical eventJune 151921

Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman (pictured) became the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

Everything on June 15Original source

In context

When
Wednesday, June 15 1921105 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
20th century · 1920s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 1921.

What happened

Elizabeth Coleman was an early American civil aviator. She was the first African-American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot license, and is the earliest known Black person to earn an international pilot's license. She earned her license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale on June 15, 1921.

June 15 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1921Bessie Coleman
  2. 1977Death and funeral of Francisco Franco
  3. 1978Hussein of Jordan
  4. 1988Ariane 4
  5. 1991Mount Pinatubo
  6. 19911991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo
  7. 1992Supreme Court of the United States
  8. 19951995 Aigio earthquake
  9. 1996The Troubles
  10. 2006George W. Bush
  11. 2013June 2013 Quetta attacks

Also in 1921

  • November 17Prince of Wales riotsRioting broke out in Bombay, India, during the visit of Edward, Prince of Wales, leading to at least 58 deaths.
  • March 18Russian Civil WarRussian Civil War: Bolshevik forces suppressed a rebellion of sailors and civilians in Kronstadt.
  • July 231st National Congress of the Chinese Communist PartyThe first National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party opened in a house in Shanghai.
  • March 31Royal Australian Air ForceThe Australian Air Force was formed, replacing the short-lived Australian Air Corps and separating it from the Army.
  • March 1Kronstadt rebellionThe Kronstadt rebellion began following mass protests in Petrograd demanding greater freedom in Russia with sailors and citizens taking u…
  • March 1Australia national cricket teamThe Australian cricket team, led by Warwick Armstrong, became the first team to complete a whitewash in the Ashes, an achievement that wo…
  • November 1Frances KyleFrances Kyle was called to the Bar of Ireland, becoming the first female barrister in Ireland or Great Britain.
  • March 30Australian Air CorpsThe Australian Air Corps was disbanded, to be replaced the following day by the Australian Air Force.

Everything we record for 1921 →

Sources

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“Bessie Coleman”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/bessie-coleman-1921-june-15, accessed October 28, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did Bessie Coleman happen?

June 15 1921 — 105 years ago, on a Wednesday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

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Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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