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On This Day

May 19

YEAR 2024

A helicopter crash in Iran leaves 8 people dead, including the country's president Ebrahim Raisi & foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

A helicopter crash in Iran leaves 8 people dead, including the country's president Ebrahim Raisi & foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

YEAR 2018

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion.

YEAR 2016

EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Paris to Cairo, killing all on board.

EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Paris to Cairo, killing all on board.

YEAR 2015

The Refugio oil spill deposited 142,800 U.S. gallons (3,400 barrels) of crude oil onto an area in California considered one of the most biologically d...

The Refugio oil spill deposited 142,800 U.S. gallons (3,400 barrels) of crude oil onto an area in California considered one of the most biologically diverse coastlines of the west coast.

YEAR 2012

Three gas cylinder bombs explode in front of a vocational school in the Italian city of Brindisi, killing one person and injuring five others.

Three gas cylinder bombs explode in front of a vocational school in the Italian city of Brindisi, killing one person and injuring five others.

YEAR 2012

A car bomb explodes near a military complex in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, killing nine people.

A car bomb explodes near a military complex in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, killing nine people.

YEAR 2010

The Royal Thai Armed Forces concludes its crackdown on protests by forcing the surrender of United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship leaders.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces concludes its crackdown on protests by forcing the surrender of United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship leaders.

YEAR 2007

President of Romania Traian Băsescu survives an impeachment referendum and returns to office from suspension.

President of Romania Traian Băsescu survives an impeachment referendum and returns to office from suspension.

YEAR 2000

Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-101 to resupply the International Space Station.

Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-101 to resupply the International Space Station.

YEAR 1997

The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts.

The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts.

YEAR 1996

Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on mission STS-77.

Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on mission STS-77.

YEAR 1993

SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, killing 132.

SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, killing 132.

YEAR 1991

Croatians vote for independence in a referendum.

Croatians vote for independence in a referendum.

YEAR 1986

The Firearm Owners Protection Act is signed into law by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

The Firearm Owners Protection Act is signed into law by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

YEAR 1971

Mars probe program: Mars 2 is launched by the Soviet Union.

Mars probe program: Mars 2 is launched by the Soviet Union.

YEAR 1963

The New York Post Sunday Magazine publishes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail.

The New York Post Sunday Magazine publishes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail.

YEAR 1962

A birthday salute to U.S. President John F. Kennedy takes place at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The highlight is Marilyn Monroe's rendition o...

A birthday salute to U.S. President John F. Kennedy takes place at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The highlight is Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday".

YEAR 1961

Venera program: Venera 1 becomes the first man-made object to fly by another planet by passing Venus (the probe had lost contact with Earth a month ea...

Venera program: Venera 1 becomes the first man-made object to fly by another planet by passing Venus (the probe had lost contact with Earth a month earlier and did not send back any data).

YEAR 1961

At Silchar Railway Station, Assam, 11 Bengalis die when police open fire on protesters demanding state recognition of Bengali language in the Bengali...

At Silchar Railway Station, Assam, 11 Bengalis die when police open fire on protesters demanding state recognition of Bengali language in the Bengali Language Movement.

YEAR 1959

The North Vietnamese Army establishes Group 559, whose responsibility is to determine how to maintain supply lines to South Vietnam; the resulting rou...

The North Vietnamese Army establishes Group 559, whose responsibility is to determine how to maintain supply lines to South Vietnam; the resulting route is the Ho Chi Minh trail.

YEAR 1950

A barge containing munitions destined for Pakistan explodes in the harbor at South Amboy, New Jersey, devastating the city.

A barge containing munitions destined for Pakistan explodes in the harbor at South Amboy, New Jersey, devastating the city.

YEAR 1950

Egypt announces that the Suez Canal is closed to Israeli ships and commerce.

Egypt announces that the Suez Canal is closed to Israeli ships and commerce.

YEAR 1945

Syrian demonstrators in Damascus are fired upon by French troops injuring twelve, leading to the Levant Crisis.

Syrian demonstrators in Damascus are fired upon by French troops injuring twelve, leading to the Levant Crisis.

YEAR 1943

Winston Churchill's second wartime address to the U.S. Congress

Winston Churchill's second wartime address to the U.S. Congress

YEAR 1942

World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

YEAR 1934

Zveno and the Bulgarian Army engineer a coup d'état and install Kimon Georgiev as the new Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

Zveno and the Bulgarian Army engineer a coup d'état and install Kimon Georgiev as the new Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

YEAR 1933

Finnish cavalry general C. G. E. Mannerheim is appointed the field marshal.

Finnish cavalry general C. G. E. Mannerheim is appointed the field marshal.

YEAR 1922

The Young Pioneer Organization of the Soviet Union is established.

The Young Pioneer Organization of the Soviet Union is established.

YEAR 1921

The United States Congress passes the Emergency Quota Act establishing national quotas on immigration.

The United States Congress passes the Emergency Quota Act establishing national quotas on immigration.

YEAR 1919

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk lands at Samsun on the Anatolian Black Sea coast, initiating what is later termed the Turkish War of Independence.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk lands at Samsun on the Anatolian Black Sea coast, initiating what is later termed the Turkish War of Independence.

YEAR 1917

The Norwegian football club Rosenborg BK is founded.

The Norwegian football club Rosenborg BK is founded.

YEAR 1911

Parks Canada, the world's first national park service, is established as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior.

Parks Canada, the world's first national park service, is established as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior.

YEAR 1900

Great Britain annexes Tonga Island.

Great Britain annexes Tonga Island.

YEAR 1900

Second Boer War: British troops relieve Mafeking.

Second Boer War: British troops relieve Mafeking.

YEAR 1883

Buffalo Bill's first Buffalo Bill's Wild West opens in Omaha, Nebraska.

Buffalo Bill's first Buffalo Bill's Wild West opens in Omaha, Nebraska.

YEAR 1848

Mexican–American War: Mexico ratifies the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo thus ending the war and ceding California, Nevada, Utah and parts of four other...

Mexican–American War: Mexico ratifies the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo thus ending the war and ceding California, Nevada, Utah and parts of four other modern-day U.S. states to the United States for US$15 million.

YEAR 1845

Captain Sir John Franklin and his ill-fated Arctic expedition depart from Greenhithe, England.

Captain Sir John Franklin and his ill-fated Arctic expedition depart from Greenhithe, England.

YEAR 1828

U.S. President John Quincy Adams signs the Tariff of 1828 into law, sparking outrage in the South and leading to the Nullification crisis.

U.S. President John Quincy Adams signs the Tariff of 1828 into law, sparking outrage in the South and leading to the Nullification crisis.

YEAR 1802

Napoleon Bonaparte founds the Legion of Honour.

Napoleon Bonaparte founds the Legion of Honour.

YEAR 1780

New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky, was observed over the New England states and parts of Canada.

New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky, was observed over the New England states and parts of Canada.

YEAR 1776

American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars.

American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars.

YEAR 1749

King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around the forks of the Ohio River.

King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around the forks of the Ohio River.

YEAR 1743

Jean-Pierre Christin developed the centigrade temperature scale.

Jean-Pierre Christin developed the centigrade temperature scale.

YEAR 1655

The Invasion of Jamaica begins during the Anglo-Spanish War.

The Invasion of Jamaica begins during the Anglo-Spanish War.

YEAR 1649

An Act of Parliament declaring England a Commonwealth is passed by the Long Parliament. England would be a republic for the next eleven years.

An Act of Parliament declaring England a Commonwealth is passed by the Long Parliament. England would be a republic for the next eleven years.

YEAR 1643

Thirty Years' War: French forces under the duc d'Enghien decisively defeat Spanish forces at the Battle of Rocroi, marking the symbolic end of Spain a...

Thirty Years' War: French forces under the duc d'Enghien decisively defeat Spanish forces at the Battle of Rocroi, marking the symbolic end of Spain as a dominant land power.

YEAR 1542

The Prome Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in present-day Myanmar.

The Prome Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in present-day Myanmar.

YEAR 1536

Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII of England, is beheaded for adultery, treason, and incest.

Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII of England, is beheaded for adultery, treason, and incest.

YEAR 1535

French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships, 110 men, and Chief Donnacona's two sons (whom Cartie...

French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships, 110 men, and Chief Donnacona's two sons (whom Cartier had kidnapped during his first voyage).

YEAR 1499

Catherine of Aragon is married by proxy to Arthur, Prince of Wales. Catherine is 13 and Arthur is 12.

Catherine of Aragon is married by proxy to Arthur, Prince of Wales. Catherine is 13 and Arthur is 12.

YEAR 1445

John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon at the First Battle of Olmedo.

John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon at the First Battle of Olmedo.

YEAR 1051

Henry I of France marries the Rus' princess, Anne of Kiev.

Henry I of France marries the Rus' princess, Anne of Kiev.

YEAR 934

The Byzantine Empire reconquers Melitene under the leadership of John Kourkouas.

The Byzantine Empire reconquers Melitene under the leadership of John Kourkouas.

YEAR 715

Pope Gregory II is elected.

Pope Gregory II is elected.

YEAR 639

Ashina Jiesheshuai and his tribesmen assaulted Emperor Taizong at Jiucheng Palace.

Ashina Jiesheshuai and his tribesmen assaulted Emperor Taizong at Jiucheng Palace.