1910, 21 May
Louis Both is to be the Union of South Africa's first prime minister.
1936, 21 May
London hosts an international conference on the protection of African elephants and rhinoceroses.
1951, 21 May
USSR announces it will sell arms to Egypt.
1958, 21 May
General Hernri Lorillot is sent by the French premier, Pierre Pfimlim, to negotiate with General Raoul Salan, the Commander-in-Chief of the French army in Algiers.
1967, 21 May
United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria) have ordered the mobilisation of 100,000 reservists.
1978, 21 May
French and Belgian paratroopers who were flown into Kolwezi, Zaire's main copper producing town, to rescue the 3,000 white residents have discovered over 150 bodies lying in the town's main streets. Most have been badly mutilated. Communist-backed Katangese gendarmes, who had invaded the region earlier this month are blamed. Zairian troops, who had been sent in a week ago, appear to have joined with the Katangese gendarmes, getting high on drugs and going on the murder spree.
1859, 21 May
Following President Anwar el-Sadat's 'purge' of his opposition, the Egyptian votes to approve his decision.
