CA, US & World
Today in History: Mona Lisa Stolen From Louvre, Idaho Standoff Begins
August 21 marks several notable moments in history, including the theft of one of the world's most famous paintings and the beginning of a deadly standoff in Idaho.
In 1992, a standoff began at the home of Randy Weaver in Idaho. The confrontation between Weaver and federal authorities lasted 11 days.
A U.S. marshal and Weaver's 14-year-old son were killed during a shootout. Weaver was wounded, and his wife was later killed by an FBI sniper during the standoff.
Also on August 21, 1980, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, was founded. During its first decade, the organization grew to more than 400,000 members and has since pushed for changes across multiple industries and supported legislation aimed at protecting animals.
Perhaps the most famous event associated with August 21 occurred in 1911, when Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in Paris.
Three thieves walked out of the museum with the painting, setting off an international search. Newspapers around the world published images of the missing artwork, dramatically increasing public interest in the painting.
The Mona Lisa was recovered in December 1913. By then, the theft had helped transform the relatively little-known painting into one of the world's most famous works of art.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
August 21, 2026
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