Historical Events
- "Heathen!" opens & closes at Billy Rose Theater NYC for 1 performance
Theatrical Finale
"Lost in the Stars" based on the novel "Cry the Beloved Country" by Alan Paton closes at Imperial Theater NYC after 39 performances
Event of Interest
Michelangelo's Pietà in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is damaged by a vandal
- The Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) kidnaps and shoots dead William Best (19), a soldier in the Royal Irish Rangers stationed in Germany whilst on leave at home
Famous Birthdays
- Adriano Cintra, Brazilian dance-rock musician (CSS, 2003-11; I Love Miami), born in São Paulo, Brazil
- Liliko Ogasawara, American middleweight judoka (Olympics 1996), born in Englewood, New Jersey
- The Notorious B.I.G. [Christopher Wallace], American rapper (Life After Death), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1997)
About May 21, 1972
Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 50 years and 10 months
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Gemini
Music Charts
#1 Song: Oh Girl - The Chi-lites
#1 Song: Metal Guru - T Rex
