On this day in history - August 21

What Happened On This Day – August 21

• 1993 NASA loses communication with the Mars Observer almost a year after its launch

  The robotic space probe was tasked with exploring and studying the Red Planet.

• 1991 Latvia gains full independence from the Soviet Union

  Founded in 1918, the Republic of Latvia was fully incorporated as a Soviet republic after the Second World War. Independence for the Baltic state was achieved after a peaceful revolution known as the Singing Revolution, which began in Estonia.

• 1986 Limnic eruption in Lake Nyos in Cameroon kills about 1700 people

  A high amount of carbon dioxide was released by the underwater volcanic eruption.

• 1911 The Mona Lisa is stolen

  The famed Leonardo da Vinci painting was stolen by a Louvre employee. It was recovered 2 years later in Italy.

• 1879 Oldsmobile is founded by Ransom Eli Olds of Olds Motor Works

  The popular brand of car was first manufactured in Lansing, Michigan. The company was purchased by GM in 1908 and closed its doors in 2004.