1) On August 21, 1959, Hawaii officially became the 50th state of the United States. The decision to admit Hawaii as a state was a controversial one, with concerns over the presence of the military in the Pacific and questions of whether the island chain was culturally and politically aligned with the mainland.

2) On August 21, 1968, the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago. This event was marked by protests both inside and outside the convention hall, with clashes between demonstrators and police leading to widespread violence and arrests. The convention ultimately nominated Hubert Humphrey as its presidential candidate.

3) August 21, 1983 witnessed a tragic aviation accident when Korean Air Lines flight 007 was shot down by Soviet interceptors, killing all 269 passengers and crew aboard. The incident fueled tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War, and led to increased scrutiny of air safety and international diplomacy.

4) On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse was visible across a wide swath of the continental United States, including regions of Washington state. This rare astronomical event drew tourists and residents alike, with many gathering to witness the spectacle and take photos of the darkened sky.

5) In more recent Washington history, August 21, 2020 marked the start of wildfires across the state, prompting evacuations and threats to communities and ecosystems. The fires were fueled by high temperatures, lightning strikes, and dry conditions, and continued to rage throughout the month and into September.