- 1940 21 Aug Exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky dies after being attacked by a Soviet agent in Mexico City.
- 1941 21 Aug The first Allied Arctic convoy carrying supplies for the USSR, codenamed 'Dervish', leaves from Iceland.
- 1944 21 Aug Allied representatives meet at Dumbarton Oaks, Washington DC, to make plans for world security post-war.

