December 19 holds a unique place in history, marked by events that shaped nations and lives. From military turning points like the evacuation at Gallipoli in 1915 to Adolf Hitler’s rise to power over the German Army in 1941, the day reflects profound change. Births, deaths, and groundbreaking achievements also punctuate this date. What other defining moments unfolded on this day? Uncover the full scope of its impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1915 – Battle of Gallipoli Evacuation Begins: During World War I, Allied forces began the evacuation of their troops from the Gallipoli Peninsula in the Ottoman Empire. After months of brutal fighting and heavy casualties against Turkish forces, the operation marked the end of a failed campaign to control the Dardanelles Strait. With the evacuation completed in early January 1916.
1941 – Hitler Takes Command of the German Army: Adolf Hitler assumed personal command of the German Army on this day during World War II, following disagreements with his generals over strategy on the Eastern Front. This decision came as the German advance into the Soviet Union stalled. It marked a turning point in his direct control over military operations.
1972 – Apollo 17 Returns to Earth: The Apollo 17 mission, the last manned mission to the Moon, splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean. Astronauts Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt concluded a historic 12-day journey. During which they collected lunar samples and conducted extensive scientific experiments. This marked the end of NASA’s Apollo program.
1998 – President Bill Clinton Impeached: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Clinton became the second U.S. president to be impeached. Though he was later acquitted by the Senate in 1999.
2012 – Park Geun-hye Elected President of South Korea: Park Geun-hye made history by becoming the first female president of South Korea after winning the national election. Her presidency focused on economic reforms and North Korean relations. Though it was later marred by a corruption scandal leading to her impeachment in 2017.
Famous Birthdays
1906 – Leonid Brezhnev: Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was born in Kamenskoe, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). He served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1964 to 1982. He oversaw a period of political stability but economic stagnation in the Soviet Union. As well as heightened Cold War tensions.
1910 – Jean Genet: French novelist, playwright, and poet Jean Genet was born in Paris. Known for his provocative works like “The Thief’s Journal” and “Our Lady of the Flowers,” Genet explored themes of crime, identity, and rebellion. He became a key figure in existentialist literature.
1944 – Richard Leakey: Kenyan paleoanthropologist and conservationist Richard Leakey was born in Nairobi. Renowned for his discoveries of early human fossils, including the Turkana Boy. Leakey contributed greatly to the understanding of human evolution. He later focused on wildlife conservation in Kenya.
1980 – Jake Gyllenhaal: American actor Jake Gyllenhaal was born in Los Angeles, California. Known for his versatile roles in films like “Brokeback Mountain,” “Nightcrawler,” and “Donnie Darko.” Gyllenhaal has earned critical acclaim for his intense and transformative performances.
1987 – Karim Benzema: French professional footballer Karim Benzema was born in Lyon, France. A prolific striker, Benzema has had a storied career with Real Madrid. He won multiple Champions League titles and earned the Ballon d’Or in 2022 for his outstanding contributions to the sport.
Notable Deaths
1848 – Emily Brontë: English novelist and poet Emily Brontë passed away at the age of 30 in Haworth, England. Best known for her only novel, “Wuthering Heights.” Brontë’s haunting tale of love and revenge remains a classic of English literature.
1915 – Alois Alzheimer: German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer died in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). He is credited with identifying the first published case of the neurodegenerative disorder now known as Alzheimer’s disease. This revolutionized the study of dementia.
1997 – Masaru Ibuka: Japanese electronics industrialist Masaru Ibuka, co-founder of Sony Corporation, passed away in Tokyo. His innovative vision helped transform Sony into a global leader in technology. Particularly with products like the Walkman and transistor radios.
Today in Music History
1960 – Frank Sinatra Records with Capitol Records: Frank Sinatra recorded his final sessions with Capitol Records in Los Angeles, marking the end of a significant era in his career. During this period, he produced iconic albums like “In the Wee Small Hours” and “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!” that defined his signature sound.
1970 – Elton John’s First U.S. Hit: Elton John’s single “Your Song” entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming his first major hit in the United States. The tender ballad from his self-titled album launched him into international stardom. It remains one of his most beloved songs.
1981 – ABBA’s Final Recording Session: Swedish pop group ABBA recorded their last tracks together in Stockholm, including “Under Attack” and “The Day Before You Came.” Though they never officially disbanded, this marked the end of their collaborative recording efforts. As personal and creative differences arose.
Today in Sports History
1984 – Wayne Gretzky Scores 1,000th Point: Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky reached his 1,000th career point in the NHL while playing for the Edmonton Oilers against the Los Angeles Kings. Achieving this milestone in just 424 games, Gretzky set a record for the fastest player to reach 1,000 points.
1997 – NBA Suspensions for Latrell Sprewell Incident: The NBA upheld a one-year suspension for Golden State Warriors player Latrell Sprewell after he physically attacked his coach, P.J. Carlesimo, during a practice. This incident became one of the most infamous in NBA history. It highlighted issues of player-coach relations.
Today in Military and Naval History
1777 – George Washington’s Army Enters Winter Quarters at Valley Forge: During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington led his Continental Army into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Facing harsh conditions, the army endured severe shortages of food and supplies. Yet emerged stronger after training under Baron von Steuben.
1941 – Japanese Forces Invade Hong Kong: During World War II, Japanese troops launched a full-scale invasion of Hong Kong, which was then a British colony. After intense fighting, British and Commonwealth forces surrendered on Christmas Day. This marked a significant early victory for Japan in the Pacific Theater.
1974 – U.S. Navy Ends Project Blue Book: The U.S. Air Force officially terminated Project Blue Book, its program to investigate unidentified flying objects (UFOs), on this day. After 22 years and over 12,000 reported sightings, the project concluded there was no evidence of extraterrestrial activity. Or threats to national security.
Today in Tech and Science History
1966 – First Successful Liver Transplant in the U.S.: Dr. Thomas Starzl performed the first successful liver transplant on a human patient at the University of Colorado Hospital. This groundbreaking surgery paved the way for organ transplantation as a viable medical treatment. It has saved countless lives in the decades that followed.
1973 – First Mobile Phone Patent Filed: Martin Cooper, an engineer at Motorola, filed a patent for the first handheld mobile phone technology. This innovation eventually led to the creation of the Motorola DynaTAC. The world’s first commercially available mobile phone, revolutionizing communication.
1999 – Terra Satellite Launched by NASA: NASA launched the Terra satellite as part of its Earth Observing System to monitor the planet’s climate, atmosphere, and land surface. Terra has since provided critical data on global warming, deforestation, and natural disasters. Aiding environmental research worldwide.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1843 – Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” Published: Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol” was first published in London, becoming an instant success. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation through ghostly visitations remains a timeless holiday classic. Shaping modern Christmas traditions.
1932 – BBC World Service Begins Broadcasting: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) launched its first international radio service, initially called the BBC Empire Service. Aimed at connecting with audiences across the British Empire, it later evolved into the BBC World Service. A global leader in news and cultural programming.
1956 – Elvis Presley Dominates the Charts: Elvis Presley achieved a record-breaking feat with 10 songs simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including hits like “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” This unprecedented success solidified his status as the King of Rock and Roll during the peak of his early career.
1984 – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Released: The charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was released to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. Featuring numerous British and Irish pop stars, it became one of the best-selling singles of all time. It inspired global humanitarian efforts.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1907 – Explosion at Darr Mine Disaster: In one of the deadliest mining accidents in U.S. history, an explosion at the Darr Mine in Pennsylvania killed 239 workers. Oddly, many of the victims were attending a Christmas party underground when the disaster struck. Adding a tragic irony to the holiday timing.
1971 – World’s Longest Banana Split: Residents of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, created a 4.5-mile-long banana split, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records at the time. This quirky event involved thousands of bananas, gallons of ice cream, and endless toppings. It united the community in a sweet, bizarre endeavor.
1989 – Soap Opera Milestone: The soap opera “The Young and the Restless” aired a peculiar episode where a character’s evil twin plotline reached a dramatic peak, fascinating daytime TV audiences. While not historically significant, it reflects the wild storytelling that defined the genre during this era.
Today in History for Kids
1777 – Winter at Valley Forge: Imagine being a soldier in George Washington’s army, camping out in the freezing cold at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Even though there wasn’t enough food or warm clothes, the soldiers trained hard and got stronger. Helping them fight for America’s freedom later on.
1843 – A Christmas Story is Born: A super famous book called “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens came out on this day. It’s about a grumpy man named Scrooge who learns to be kind after ghosts visit him. Kids still love this story every holiday season!
1966 – Saving Lives with Science: Doctors did something amazing in Colorado by giving someone a new liver to help them live. It was the first time this kind of surgery worked in the U.S. Now it helps lots of sick people get better.
1972 – Last Trip to the Moon: Astronauts came back to Earth after the last trip to the Moon with Apollo 17. They brought back cool Moon rocks and took awesome pictures. Teaching us so much about space!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1915 – A Silent Night in War: During the Gallipoli evacuation in World War I, Allied soldiers quietly left their positions under cover of darkness to avoid detection by Turkish forces. Remarkably, they used self-firing rifles rigged with water drips to trick the enemy into thinking they were still there.
1941 – A Dictator’s Decision: When Hitler took direct control of the German Army, he overruled experienced military leaders, believing he alone could turn the tide against the Soviet Union. Historians often point to this moment as a critical misstep that contributed to Germany’s eventual defeat.
1960 – Sinatra’s Farewell to Capitol: Frank Sinatra’s last recording session with Capitol Records wasn’t just a goodbye to a label. It marked the end of a golden era of music where his crooning voice defined the 1950s soundscape. Paving the way for his later work with Reprise Records.
1984 – Charity Song Sparks a Movement: The release of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” didn’t just raise millions for Ethiopian famine relief. It inspired the Live Aid concerts and showed how music could unite people worldwide for a cause. Creating a blueprint for future charity singles.
1998 – Impeachment Drama: Bill Clinton’s impeachment by the House of Representatives gripped the nation, with televised debates and intense media coverage. Though acquitted by the Senate, the event remains a rare and polarizing chapter in American political history.