diff --git a/etc/NEWS b/etc/NEWS
index dc94652baeb..850f9b25015 100644
--- a/etc/NEWS
+++ b/etc/NEWS
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ support 64-bit executables.  See etc/MACHINES for instructions.
 
 * Changes in Emacs 21.1
 
++++
+* New command M-x describe-character-set reads a character set name
+and displayes information about that.
+
 * When an error is signaled during the loading of the user's init
 file, Emacs now pops up the *Messages* buffer.