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On This Day in History — August 19
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Highlights of August 19
- 2017 — Around 250,000 farmed non-native Atlantic salmon were accidentally released into the wild near Cypress Island, Washington. Read more
- 2005 — Thunderstorms in southern Ontario, Canada, spawned at least three tornadoes that caused over C$500 million in damage. Read more
- 2003 — A Hamas suicide bomber killed 23 people and wounded more than 130 others, including many Orthodox Jewish children, on a crowded public bus in Shmuel HaNavi, Jerusalem. Read more
- 2003 — A car bomb destroyed the United Nations headquarters at Baghdad's Canal Hotel, killing Brazilian diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 others. Read more
- 2002 — Second Chechen War: A Russian Mil Mi-26 was brought down by Chechen separatists with a man-portable air-defense system near Khankala, killing 127 people in the deadliest helicopter crash in history. Read more
- 1950 — The 766th Independent Infantry Regiment of North Korea was disbanded after fighting for less than two months in the Korean War. Read more
- 1934 — A referendum supported the recent merging of the posts of chancellor and president of Germany, consolidating Adolf Hitler's assumption of supreme power. Read more
- 1920 — Russian Civil War: Peasants in Tambov Governorate began a rebellion against the Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia. Read more
- 1905 — In a ceremony officiated by Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey, The Luck of Cumberland (pictured) was presented to HMS Cumberland. Read more
- 1897 — The Bersey Electric Cab (pictured) entered service as the first electric taxi in London. Read more
- 1759 — Seven Years' War: Having damaged several French vessels, British ships pursued the remainder of the fleet to Lagos, Portugal, and continued the battle there in violation of Portuguese neutrality. Read more
- 1745 — Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Jacobite standard at Glenfinnan, Scotland, in an attempt to regain the British throne for his father, beginning the Jacobite rising of 1745. Read more
- 1725 — J. S. Bach led the first performance of Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137, a cantata setting the unchanged text of Neander's hymn. Read more
- 1274 — Shortly after his return from the Ninth Crusade, Edward I (pictured) was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, nearly two years after his father's death. Read more
Events
- 2017 — Tens of thousands of farmed non-native Atlantic salmon are accidentally released into the wild in Washington waters in the 2017 Cypress Island Atlantic salmon pen break. Read more
- 2013 — The Dhamara Ghat train accident kills at least 37 people in the Indian state of Bihar. Read more
- 2010 — Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, with the last of the United States brigade combat teams crossing the border to Kuwait. Read more
- 2009 — A series of bombings in Baghdad, Iraq, kills 101 and injures 565 others. Read more
- 2005 — The first-ever joint military exercise between Russia and China, called Peace Mission 2005 begins. Read more
- 2004 — Google Inc. has its initial public offering on Nasdaq. Read more
- 2003 — A truck-bomb attack on United Nations headquarters in Iraq kills the agency's top envoy Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 other employees. Read more
- 2003 — Shmuel HaNavi bus bombing: A suicide attack on a bus in Jerusalem, planned by Hamas, kills 23 Israelis, seven of them children. Read more
- 2002 — Khankala Mi-26 crash: A Russian Mil Mi-26 helicopter carrying troops is hit by a Chechen missile outside Grozny, killing 118 soldiers. Read more
- 1999 — In Belgrade, Yugoslavia, tens of thousands of Serbians rally to demand the resignation of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Slobodan Milošević. Read more
- 1991 — Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The August Coup begins when Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev is placed under house arrest while on holiday in the town of Foros, Ukraine. Read more
- 1991 — Crown Heights riot in New York City begins. Read more
- 1989 — Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to be the first non-communist prime minister in 42 years. Read more
- 1989 — Several hundred East Germans cross the frontier between Hungary and Austria during the Pan-European Picnic, part of the events that began the process of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Read more
- 1987 — Hungerford massacre: In the United Kingdom, Michael Ryan kills sixteen people with a semi-automatic rifle and then commits suicide. Read more
- 1981 — Gulf of Sidra Incident: United States F-14A Tomcat fighters intercept and shoot down two Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 fighter jets over the Gulf of Sidra. Read more
- 1981 — Silvio Santos launches a new Brazilian television channel in São Paulo, Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão. Read more
- 1980 — Saudia Flight 163, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar burns after making an emergency landing at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing 301 people. Read more
- 1980 — Otłoczyn railway accident: In Poland's worst post-war railway accident, 67 people lose their lives and a further 62 are injured. Read more
- 1978 — In Iran, the Cinema Rex fire causes more than 300 deaths. Read more
- 1965 — Japanese prime minister Eisaku Satō becomes the first post-World War II sitting prime minister to visit Okinawa Prefecture. Read more
- 1964 — Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, is launched. Two months later, it would enable live coverage of the 1964 Summer Olympics. Read more
- 1960 — Cold War: In Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, downed American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is sentenced to ten years imprisonment by the Soviet Union for espionage. Read more
- 1960 — Sputnik program: Korabl-Sputnik 2: The Soviet Union launches the satellite with the dogs Belka and Strelka, 40 mice, two rats and a variety of plants. Read more
- 1955 — In the Northeast United States, severe flooding caused by Hurricane Diane, claims 200 lives. Read more
- 1953 — Cold War: The CIA and MI6 help to overthrow the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran and reinstate the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Read more
- 1945 — August Revolution: Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh take power in Hanoi, Vietnam. Read more
- 1944 — World War II: Liberation of Paris: Paris, France rises against German occupation with the help of Allied troops. Read more
- 1942 — World War II: Operation Jubilee (The Dieppe Raid): The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division leads an amphibious assault by allied forces on Dieppe, France and fails. Read more
- 1941 — Germany and Romania sign the Tiraspol Agreement, rendering the region of Transnistria under control of the latter. Read more
- 1940 — First flight of the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. Read more
- 1936 — The Great Purge of the Soviet Union begins when the first of the Moscow Trials is convened. Read more
- 1934 — The first All-American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio. Read more
- 1934 — The German referendum of 1934 approves Adolf Hitler's appointment as head of state with the title of Führer. Read more
- 1927 — Patriarch Sergius of Moscow proclaims the declaration of loyalty of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Soviet Union. Read more
- 1920 — The Tambov Rebellion breaks out, in response to the Bolshevik policy of Prodrazvyorstka. Read more
- 1909 — The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for automobile racing. William Bourque and his mechanic are killed during the first day's events. Read more
- 1903 — The Transfiguration Uprising breaks out in East Thrace, resulting in the establishment of the Strandzha Commune. Read more
- 1862 — Dakota War: During an uprising in Minnesota, Lakota warriors decide not to attack heavily defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing white settlers along the way. Read more
- 1861 — First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps. Read more
- 1854 — The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are massacred. Read more
- 1848 — California Gold Rush: The New York Herald breaks the news to the East Coast of the United States of the gold rush in California (although the rush started in January). Read more
- 1839 — The French government announces that Louis Daguerre's photographic process is a gift "free to the world". Read more
- 1813 — Gervasio Antonio de Posadas joins Argentina's Second Triumvirate. Read more
- 1812 — War of 1812: American frigate USS Constitution defeats the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada earning the nickname "Old Ironsides". Read more
- 1787 — Sultan Abdul Hamid I declares war against the Russian Empire in an effort to regain territories lost in previous conflicts, starting the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792. Read more
- 1782 — American Revolutionary War: Battle of Blue Licks: The last major engagement of the war, almost ten months after the surrender of the British commander Charles Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown. Read more
- 1772 — Gustav III of Sweden stages a coup d'état, in which he assumes power and enacts a new constitution that divides power between the Riksdag and the King. Read more
- 1759 — Battle of Lagos: Naval battle during the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France. Read more
- 1745 — Prince Charles Edward Stuart raises his standard in Glenfinnan: The start of the Second Jacobite Rebellion, known as "the 45". Read more
- 1745 — Ottoman–Persian War: In the Battle of Kars, the Ottoman army is routed by Persian forces led by Nader Shah. Read more
- 1725 — J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137, a cantata setting the unchanged text of Neander's hymn. Read more
- 1692 — Salem witch trials: In Salem, province of Massachusetts Bay, Martha Carrier, George Jacobs Sr., John Proctor, John Willard, and clergyman George Burroughs are executed after being convicted of witchcraft. Read more
- 1691 — An Imperial army under Ludwig of Baden defeats the Ottomans in the battle of Slankamen. Read more
- 1666 — Second Anglo-Dutch War: Rear Admiral Robert Holmes leads a raid on the Dutch island of Terschelling, destroying 116 to 160 merchant ships, an act later known as "Holmes's Bonfire". Read more
- 1659 — Parliamentarian forces under John Lambert defeat Royalist forces under George Booth in the battle of Winnington Bridge, ending Booth's Uprising. Read more
- 1604 — Eighty Years War: a besieging Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Orange forces the Spanish garrison of Sluis to capitulate. Read more
- 1561 — Mary, Queen of Scots, aged 18, returns to Scotland after spending 13 years in France. Read more
- 1504 — In Ireland, the Hiberno-Norman de Burghs (Burkes) and Cambro-Norman Fitzgeralds fight in the Battle of Knockdoe. Read more
- 1458 — Pope Pius II is elected the 211th Pope. Read more
Born on August 19
- 2004 — Chae Hyun-woo, South Korean football player Read more
- 2004 — Nguyễn Đình Bắc, Vietnamese football player Read more
- 2001 — Awak Kuier, Finnish basketball player Read more
- 2000 — Keegan Murray, American basketball player Read more
- 1999 — Ethan Cutkosky, American actor and musician Read more
- 1999 — Thomas Flegler, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1999 — Florentino Luís, Portuguese footballer Read more
- 1996 — Jung Ye-rin, South Korean singer and actress Read more
- 1996 — Lachlan Lewis, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1994 — Nafissatou Thiam, Belgian pentathlete and heptathlete Read more
- 1994 — Fernando Gaviria, Colombian cyclist Read more
- 1993 — Pio Seci, Fijian rugby league player Read more
- 1992 — David Rittich, Czech ice hockey player Read more
- 1991 — Salem Al-Dawsari, Saudi Arabian footballer Read more
- 1989 — Romeo Miller, American basketball player, rapper, actor Read more
- 1988 — Kirk Cousins, American football player Read more
- 1988 — Veronica Roth, American author Read more
- 1987 — Patrick Chung, Jamaican-American football player Read more
- 1987 — Manny Jacinto, Canadian actor Read more
- 1987 — Nick Driebergen, Dutch swimmer Read more
- 1987 — Nico Hülkenberg, German racing driver Read more
- 1986 — Sotiris Balafas, Greek footballer Read more
- 1986 — Saori Kimura, Japanese volleyball player Read more
- 1986 — Christina Perri, American singer and songwriter Read more
- 1985 — Lindsey Jacobellis, American snowboarder Read more
- 1984 — Simon Bird, English actor and screenwriter Read more
- 1984 — Alessandro Matri, Italian footballer Read more
- 1984 — Ryan Taylor, English footballer Read more
- 1983 — Missy Higgins, Australian singer-songwriter Read more
- 1983 — Tammin Sursok, South African-Australian actress and singer Read more
- 1982 — Erika Christensen, American actress Read more
- 1982 — Melissa Fumero, American actress Read more
- 1982 — Kevin Rans, Belgian pole vaulter Read more
- 1982 — Stipe Miocic, American professional mixed martial artist Read more
- 1982 — Steve Ott, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1981 — Nick Kennedy, English rugby player Read more
- 1981 — Taylor Pyatt, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1980 — Darius Campbell, Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor (died 2022) Read more
- 1980 — Craig Frawley, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1980 — Jun Jin, South Korean singer Read more
Died on August 19
- 2024 — Maria Branyas, American-Spanish supercentenarian (born 1907) Read more
- 2023 — Václav Patejdl, Slovak musician (born 1954) Read more
- 2022 — Tekla Juniewicz, Polish supercentenarian (born 1906) Read more
- 2021 — Sonny Chiba, Japanese actor (born 1939) Read more
- 2019 — Lars Larsen, Danish businessman and billionaire, founder and owner of the Danish retail chain JYSK (born 1948) Read more
- 2017 — Brian Aldiss, British novelist (born 1925) Read more
- 2017 — Dick Gregory, American comedian, author and activist (born 1932) Read more
- 2015 — Sanat Mehta, Indian activist and politician (born 1935) Read more
- 2014 — Samih al-Qasim, Palestinian poet and journalist (born 1939) Read more
- 2014 — Simin Behbahani, Iranian poet and activist (born 1927) Read more
- 2014 — Candida Lycett Green, Anglo-Irish journalist and author (born 1942) Read more
- 2013 — Musa'id bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabian prince (born 1923) Read more
- 2013 — Abdul Rahim Hatif, Afghan politician, 8th President of Afghanistan (born 1926)[citation needed] Read more
- 2013 — Donna Hightower, American singer-songwriter (born 1926) Read more
- 2012 — Donal Henahan, American journalist and critic (born 1921) Read more
- 2012 — Ivar Iversen, Norwegian canoe racer (born 1914) Read more
- 2012 — Tony Scott, English-American director and producer (born 1944) Read more
- 2011 — Raúl Ruiz, Chilean director and producer (born 1941) Read more
- 2009 — Don Hewitt, American television producer, created 60 Minutes (born 1922) Read more
- 2008 — Levy Mwanawasa, Zambian lawyer and politician, 3rd President of Zambia (born 1948) Read more
- 2005 — Mo Mowlam, English academic and politician, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (born 1949) Read more
- 2003 — Carlos Roberto Reina, Honduran lawyer and politician, President of Honduras (born 1926) Read more
- 2003 — Sérgio Vieira de Mello, Brazilian diplomat (born 1948) Read more
- 2001 — Donald Woods, South African journalist and activist (born 1933) Read more
- 2000 — Bineshwar Brahma, Indian poet, author, and educator (born 1948) Read more
- 1995 — Pierre Schaeffer, French composer and musicologist (born 1910) Read more
- 1994 — Linus Pauling, American chemist and biologist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1901) Read more
- 1993 — Utpal Dutt, Bangladeshi actor, director, and playwright (born 1929) Read more
- 1986 — Hermione Baddeley, English actress (born 1906) Read more
- 1986 — Viv Thicknesse, Australian rugby player (born 1910) Read more
- 1982 — August Neo, Estonian wrestler (born 1908) Read more
- 1981 — Jessie Matthews, English actress, singer, and dancer (born 1907) Read more
- 1980 — Otto Frank, German-Swiss businessman, father of Anne Frank (born 1889) Read more
- 1977 — Aleksander Kreek, Estonian shot putter and discus thrower (born 1914) Read more
- 1977 — Groucho Marx, American comedian and actor (born 1890) Read more
- 1976 — Alastair Sim, Scottish-English actor (born 1900) Read more
- 1976 — Ken Wadsworth, New Zealand cricketer (born 1946) Read more
- 1975 — Mark Donohue, American race car driver and engineer (born 1937) Read more
- 1970 — Paweł Jasienica, Polish soldier and historian (born 1909) Read more
- 1968 — George Gamow, Ukrainian-American physicist and cosmologist (born 1904) Read more
Holidays & observances
Afghan Independence Day, commemorates the Treaty of Rawalpindi in 1919, granting independence from Britain (Afghanistan); August Revolution Commemoration Day (Vietnam); Birthday of Crown Princess Mette-Marit (Norway); Christian Feast Day:
Bertulf of Bobbio; Christian Feast Day:
Saint Calminius; Christian Feast Day:
Ezequiél Moreno y Díaz; Christian Feast Day:
Feast of the Transfiguration (Julian calendar), and its related observances:
Buhe (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church); Christian Feast Day:
Feast of the Transfiguration (Julian calendar), and its related observances:
Saviour's Transfiguration, popularly known as the "Apples Feast" (Russian Orthodox Church and Georgian Orthodox Church); Christian Feast Day:
Jean-Eudes de Mézeray; Christian Feast Day:
Louis of Toulouse; Christian Feast Day:
Maginus; Christian Feast Day:
Magnus of Anagni; Christian Feast Day:
Magnus of Avignon; Christian Feast Day:
Sebaldus; Christian Feast Day:
August 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Manuel Luis Quezón Day (Quezon City and other places in the Philippines named after Manuel L. Quezon); National Aviation Day (United States); World Humanitarian Day
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “August 19”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.