Numbers have always played an important role in the development of the human race, and have been a key contributor to the rise and fall of civilizations.
Over the ages, people have attributed many factors to numbers. Numerology, superstition, important dates and so many other things cling to various numbers.
Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about the number 21.
In the US, when you reach the age of 21 you’re legally allowed to purchase and consume alcohol. Ironically, you can go to war and vote at the age of 18, but you still have to wait three more years until you can have a drink!
Unlike the rest of the 50 states of the US, you cannot purchase tobacco products in California, Hawaii, New York or New Jersey until you reach the age of 21.
21 is considered the age of majority in a number of countries including the USA, the UAE, Bahrain and Singapore. When you reach the age of majority you are no longer considered a minor, and thus have complete legal control over yourself, your decisions, and your actions.
At the age of 21 in the UK you are allowed to accompany a driver who is on their learner’s driving license, providing you have had a full driving license for at least three years.
When Adele reached the age of 21 in 2011 she released her second album titled “21.” The naming of it wasn’t too subtle though, as it was simply named after her age at the time of release.
If you live in the US, you’re only allowed to buy more than one ticket to an R-rated movie once you reach the age of 21. Why? Your guess is as good as mine!
In Roman numerals, 21 is written as XXI.
Before the rules were changed in 2011, 21 was the amount of points required to win a game of table tennis and badminton.
The 21st amendment of the US constitution actually negated the effects of the 18th amendment, which was originally put in place to prohibit alcohol on a national scale. Cheers to that!
Ever got bored enough to count the amount of dots on a 6-sided die? Now you don’t have to – there’s a grand total of 21 of them!
The popular punk-rock band Green Day released a song in 2009 called 21 Guns, which addressed the topic of patriotism.
21 grams is the physical weight of the soul, according to the physician Duncan MacDougal. He calculated this by measuring the body weight of 6 patients before and after their deaths.
The flag of Kurdistan, created by Kurdish rebels in 1928, depicts a sun in its center with 21 golden rays reaching out from it.
21 is the atomic number of the chemical element scandium. Discovered in 1879, it is classified as a rare-earth element.
21 is the 8th number in the Fibonacci sequence, preceded by 13 and followed by 34.
During the First World War the Japanese Empire sent a list of 21 demands to the Chinese government. These demands were related to the control of the region of Manchuria, and were opposed by the UK and the US.
There were 21 shillings in a guinea, a form of currency used by Great Britain from 1663 all the way until 1816, when they were replaced by the pound.
In Tarot, the number 21 is related to the card The World. One of the many meanings of this card is to have the world at your feet!
According to the Bible there were 21 acts of rebellion committed by the Israelites to break free from Egyptian control.
21 is the name of an ancient card game, with its most modern variant played in casinos all over the world. This more commonly known version is the American game Blackjack
21 guns are fired to honor heads of state, such as royalty in the UK, and the President of the USA. Known as the 21 gun salute, this tradition goes all the way back to the times when the navies of the world still shot cannonballs.
From nature to governmental legislation to matters of metaphysics, the number 21 can be found in all aspects of our lives.
Whether this is merely a coincidence, or if it holds greater meaning is for you to decide!
