1. On October 21, 1819, the first session of the Alabama state legislature began in Huntsville. This marked an important milestone in the state's history as it established its political and legal institutions.

2. The first African American football player to earn a scholarship at the University of Alabama, Wilbur Jackson, made his college debut on October 21, 1969. Jackson went on to become a successful business owner and philanthropist.

3. On October 21, 1964, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to nonviolent protest and his work in promoting racial equality in America. King's legacy continues to inspire activists today.

4. The infamous "Scottsboro Boys" trial, which drew national attention to the injustices of racism and the legal system in the South, began on October 21, 1931. The trial of nine black men accused of raping two white women in Jackson County would go on to expose deep-seated prejudices and flaws in the court system.

5. On October 21, 1986, the legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant announced his retirement after 25 seasons as head coach of the University of Alabama. Bryant remains one of the most beloved figures in Crimson Tide history, and the stadium where the team plays is named in his honor.