July 19 stands as a date etched with significant historical moments, spanning centuries and continents. From pivotal political events to groundbreaking cultural milestones, this day has witnessed both triumph and tragedy. Key figures have been born, others lost, and events have shaped the course of history in unexpected ways. What specific occurrences mark this date? Uncover the stories that define July 19 and their lasting impact on the world.
History
Major Historical Events
1380 – Death of Thomas of Woodstock: On this day, Thomas of Woodstock, the 1st Duke of Gloucester, was executed for treason against King Richard II of England.
As one of the Lords Appellant, he had previously opposed the king’s policies, leading to his arrest and eventual murder, likely on the king’s orders, marking a significant moment in the power struggles of medieval England.
1553 – Lady Jane Grey Deposed: After just nine days as Queen of England, Lady Jane Grey was deposed on July 19, 1553, in favor of Mary I.
Jane’s brief reign came after the death of Edward VI, orchestrated by powerful nobles hoping to prevent a Catholic succession, but Mary’s popular support led to Jane’s removal and eventual execution.
1848 – First Women’s Rights Convention: The Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in the United States, began on July 19, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York.
Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, it marked a pivotal moment in the fight for women’s suffrage and equality, with the adoption of the Declaration of Sentiments.
1943 – Allied Bombing of Rome in WWII: During World War II, Allied forces bombed Rome on July 19, 1943, targeting railway yards and military installations.
This was the first time the city, considered a cultural and religious center, was attacked from the air, causing significant civilian casualties and damage, and intensifying pressure on the Italian government.
1980 – Moscow Olympics Opening Ceremony: The 1980 Summer Olympics officially opened in Moscow on July 19, despite a boycott by numerous Western countries, including the United States, in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The games proceeded with 80 nations participating, though the political tensions cast a shadow over the event.
Famous Birthdays
1814 – Samuel Colt: Samuel Colt, the American inventor and industrialist who revolutionized firearms with his invention of the revolver, was born on July 19, 1814, in Hartford, Connecticut.
His innovations in weaponry had a lasting impact on military and civilian life.
1834 – Edgar Degas: French artist Edgar Degas, renowned for his paintings, sculptures, and drawings, particularly of ballerinas, was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris.
A key figure in the Impressionist movement, his work captured the beauty and movement of everyday life.
1947 – Brian May: Brian May, the legendary guitarist of the rock band Queen, was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, Middlesex, England.
Known for his distinctive sound and contributions to hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” May is also an accomplished astrophysicist.
1988 – Shane Dawson: Shane Dawson, an American YouTuber, actor, and comedian known for his comedic sketches and conspiracy theory videos, was born on July 19, 1988, in Long Beach, California.
He became one of the platform’s early influential creators.
Notable Deaths
1374 – Petrarch: Francesco Petrarca, known as Petrarch, the Italian scholar and poet who is often called the “Father of Humanism,” died on July 19, 1374, in Arquà, Italy.
His works, including sonnets dedicated to Laura, profoundly influenced Renaissance literature.
1810 – Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz: Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia and a beloved figure for her compassion and resistance against Napoleon, passed away on July 19, 1810, in Hohenzieritz, Germany.
Her death was deeply mourned by the Prussian people.
2006 – Jack Warden: American actor Jack Warden, known for his roles in films like “Shampoo” and “Heaven Can Wait,” died on July 19, 2006, in New York City.
His career spanned over five decades, earning him multiple award nominations.
Today in Music History
1966 – Frank Sinatra Marries Mia Farrow: On July 19, 1966, legendary singer Frank Sinatra married actress Mia Farrow in a private ceremony in Las Vegas.
The marriage, though short-lived, drew significant media attention due to their age difference and celebrity status.
1986 – Genesis Hits Number One: The band Genesis reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their hit song “Invisible Touch” on July 19, 1986.
It marked a high point in their commercial success during the 1980s.
1991 – Gloria Estefan’s Concert Triumph: On July 19, 1991, Gloria Estefan performed a sold-out concert at Wembley Arena in London as part of her “Into the Light” tour.
This showcased her recovery and return to the stage after a near-fatal bus accident.
Today in Sports History
1909 – First Tour de France Stage Win by a Non-French Cyclist: On July 19, 1909, François Faber from Luxembourg became the first non-French cyclist to win a stage of the Tour de France.
This marked an early milestone in the internationalization of the prestigious race.
1976 – Nadia Comaneci’s Perfect 10: At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci scored a perfect 10 on the uneven bars on July 19.
She became the first gymnast to achieve this feat at the Olympics and mesmerizing the world with her performance.
1996 – Opening of Atlanta Olympics: The 1996 Summer Olympics opened in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 19, with a spectacular ceremony that highlighted American culture and history.
Though the event was later marred by a tragic bombing.
2013 – Phil Mickelson Wins British Open: Golfer Phil Mickelson won the British Open on July 19, 2013, at Muirfield, Scotland.
He secured one of the most prestigious titles in golf with an impressive final round performance.
Today in Military and Naval History
1702 – Battle of Klissow in the Great Northern War: On July 19, 1702, Swedish forces under King Charles XII defeated a larger Saxon-Polish army at the Battle of Klissow in Poland.
This showcased Swedish military prowess during the Great Northern War.
1863 – Battle of Buffington Island: During the American Civil War, Union forces defeated Confederate raiders led by John Hunt Morgan at the Battle of Buffington Island in Ohio on July 19, 1863.
This marked a significant setback for Confederate operations in the North.
1940 – Battle of Cape Spada: In World War II, the Royal Navy engaged Italian naval forces off the coast of Crete in the Battle of Cape Spada on July 19, 1940.
This resulted in a British victory and the sinking of the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni.
Today in Tech and Science History
1969 – Apollo 11 Enters Lunar Orbit: On July 19, 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, entered lunar orbit.
This set the stage for the historic moon landing the following day.
1985 – Christa McAuliffe Chosen for Space Mission: On July 19, 1985, Christa McAuliffe was selected by NASA to be the first teacher in space as part of the Teacher in Space Project.
Though she tragically perished in the Challenger disaster in 1986.
2015 – First Close-Up Images of Pluto: NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft transmitted the first close-up images of Pluto on July 19, 2015, after its historic flyby.
This revealed detailed surface features of the distant dwarf planet for the first time.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1890 – Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “The Sleeping Beauty” in the US: On July 19, 1890, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Sleeping Beauty” had its American premiere in New York City.
This introduced audiences to one of the most beloved works in classical ballet.
1921 – First Miss America Pageant Plans Announced: On July 19, 1921, plans for the first Miss America pageant were announced.
The event was set to take place later that year in Atlantic City, New Jersey, launching a cultural tradition.
1989 – Release of “When Harry Met Sally”: The iconic romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally,” starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, was released on July 19, 1989.
It became a cultural touchstone for its exploration of love and friendship.
2007 – Opening of “The Simpsons Movie” in UK: On July 19, 2007, “The Simpsons Movie” premiered in the United Kingdom.
This brought the beloved animated family to the big screen and achieved significant box office success.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1903 – First Tour de France Chaos: During the inaugural Tour de France on July 19, 1903, several cyclists were disqualified for cheating.
This included taking shortcuts and even hitching rides on cars, highlighting the wild and unregulated nature of early competitive cycling.
1985 – Vice President Bush’s Odd Announcement: On July 19, 1985, Vice President George H.W. Bush announced he had put his dog, Fred, in charge of the White House while President Reagan recovered from surgery.
This was a humorous moment that briefly captured public attention.
2001 – World’s Largest Banana Split Record: On July 19, 2001, a town in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, created the world’s largest banana split.
It measured over 4.5 miles long, as part of a quirky community celebration that drew national headlines.
Today in History for Kids
1848 – Women Stand Up for Their Rights: On July 19, 1848, brave women and men gathered in Seneca Falls, New York, to talk about why women should have the same rights as men, like voting.
This meeting was a big step toward fairness and equality in America.
1969 – Getting Ready to Walk on the Moon: On July 19, 1969, the Apollo 11 spaceship circled around the Moon.
This was getting ready for the first-ever moonwalk the next day, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin about to make history!
1976 – A Perfect Score in Gymnastics: On July 19, 1976, a young girl named Nadia Comaneci from Romania did something amazing at the Olympics in Montreal.
She got a perfect score of 10 in gymnastics, showing kids everywhere that hard work can lead to incredible things.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1553 – Shortest Reign in English History: Lady Jane Grey, who was queen for only nine days before being deposed on July 19, 1553, holds the record for one of the shortest reigns in English history.
This is a fascinating and tragic story of political maneuvering.
1943 – Rome’s First Air Raid: When Allied forces bombed Rome on July 19, 1943, it shocked the world.
This was because the city was seen as a sacred place due to the Vatican, making the attack a controversial moment in World War II history.
1980 – Olympics Without Many Countries: The 1980 Moscow Olympics, which opened on July 19, saw over 60 countries boycott the games.
This was due to political disagreements, showing how world events can impact even sports.
2015 – Pluto’s Hidden Heart: When New Horizons sent back images of Pluto on July 19, 2015, scientists discovered a heart-shaped region on its surface.
This region was nicknamed “Tombaugh Regio,” adding a romantic twist to space exploration.