August 19 holds a remarkable place in history, marked by events that shaped empires, innovation, and culture. From the political ascent of Octavian in ancient Rome to groundbreaking advancements like the Daguerreotype, this date reflects a spectrum of human achievement. Births of influential figures and modern milestones further enrich its legacy. What specific moments stand out on this day? Uncover the layers of August 19’s storied past.
History
Major Historical Events
43 BC – Octavian Compels Senate to Elect Him Consul: In a pivotal moment in Roman history, Octavian, later known as Augustus, used his military influence to force the Roman Senate to elect him as consul on August 19.
This event marked a significant step in his rise to power, setting the stage for the shift of Rome from a republic to an empire under his rule.
1612 – The “Samlesbury Witches” Trial Begins: On this day in England, the trial of three women accused of witchcraft began in Lancashire as part of the broader Pendle Witch Trials.
Though less well-known than their counterparts, the Samlesbury Witches were central to a case fueled by superstition and local rivalries, highlighting the intense fear of witchcraft during the era.
1839 – Presentation of Daguerreotype Photography Process: The French government announced the daguerreotype process, the first publicly available photographic technique, to the world on August 19.
Developed by Louis Daguerre, this groundbreaking invention was shared freely with the public, revolutionizing visual documentation and art.
1934 – Adolf Hitler Becomes Führer of Germany: Following the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, a referendum on August 19 confirmed Adolf Hitler as the sole leader, or Führer, of Germany.
This consolidation of power marked a dark turning point in history, as it granted Hitler unchecked authority over the nation.
1960 – Soviet Union Launches Sputnik 5: On this day, the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik 5, carrying two dogs, Belka and Strelka, into orbit.
This mission was a significant achievement in the Space Race, as it demonstrated the possibility of living organisms surviving space travel, paving the way for human missions.
Famous Birthdays
1871 – Orville Wright: Aviation pioneer Orville Wright was born on August 19 in Dayton, Ohio.
Alongside his brother Wilbur, he played a vital role in the development of the first successful powered airplane, forever changing the course of transportation and technology.
1883 – Coco Chanel: Iconic French fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was born on this day in Saumur, France.
Her innovative designs and creation of the timeless “little black dress” revolutionized women’s fashion, making her a lasting symbol of elegance and style.
1946 – Bill Clinton: The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, was born on August 19 in Hope, Arkansas.
Serving from 1993 to 2001, Clinton oversaw a period of economic prosperity while handling significant political challenges during his tenure.
1969 – Matthew Perry: American actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends,” was born on this day in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
His comedic talent and charm made him a beloved figure in television history.
1989 – Percy Hynes White: Canadian actor Percy Hynes White was born on August 19.
Recognized for his roles in popular series like “Wednesday,” he represents a rising talent in the entertainment industry.
Notable Deaths
14 AD – Augustus Caesar: The first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar, passed away on August 19 in Nola, Italy.
His death marked the end of a transformative era in Roman history, during which he established the foundations of the Roman Empire.
1662 – Blaise Pascal: French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher Blaise Pascal died on this day in Paris, France.
Known for his contributions to probability theory and the invention of the mechanical calculator, Pascal’s work continues to influence science and philosophy.
1977 – Groucho Marx: Legendary comedian and actor Groucho Marx, famous for his quick wit and iconic role in the Marx Brothers films, passed away on August 19 in Los Angeles, California.
His unique humor left an indelible mark on entertainment.
Today in Music History
1967 – The Beatles Top the Charts with “All You Need Is Love”: On August 19, The Beatles’ hit single “All You Need Is Love” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Written by John Lennon, the song became an anthem of peace and love during the Summer of Love.
1980 – AC/DC Releases “Back in Black”: The iconic rock band AC/DC saw their album “Back in Black” climb the charts following its release, with significant attention on this day in 1980.
The album, featuring hits like the title track, remains one of the best-selling records of all time.
2000 – Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5” Resurgence: On August 19, Lou Bega’s infectious hit “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)” saw a resurgence in popularity across global charts.
The song, originally released in 1999, continued to dominate dance floors and radio play.
Today in Sports History
1909 – First Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: On August 19, the first-ever automobile race was held at the newly constructed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana.
This event laid the foundation for the iconic Indy 500, one of the most famous races in motorsport history.
1951 – Bill Veeck’s Stunt with Eddie Gaedel: In a memorable moment in baseball history, St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck sent Eddie Gaedel, a 3-foot-7-inch player, to bat on August 19 during a game against the Detroit Tigers.
Gaedel’s appearance remains one of the most unusual and talked-about stunts in sports.
2016 – Usain Bolt Wins Third Olympic 200m Gold: On this day, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt secured his third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter race at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
His dominance in sprinting solidified his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Today in Military and Naval History
1812 – USS Constitution Defeats HMS Guerriere: During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” achieved a decisive victory over the British frigate HMS Guerriere on August 19.
This naval battle boosted American morale and showcased the strength of the young U.S. Navy.
1942 – Dieppe Raid in World War II: On this day, Allied forces, primarily Canadian troops, launched the Dieppe Raid on the German-occupied port of Dieppe, France.
Though the operation was a tactical failure with heavy casualties, it provided valuable lessons for future amphibious assaults like D-Day.
Today in Tech and Science History
1839 – Daguerreotype Process Introduced: As mentioned earlier, the daguerreotype, the first publicly accessible photographic process, was officially presented to the world on August 19 by the French Academy of Sciences.
This marked the birth of modern photography.
1960 – Belka and Strelka Orbit Earth: The Soviet space mission Sputnik 5, launched on this day, successfully sent dogs Belka and Strelka into orbit and safely returned them to Earth.
Their journey was a critical step toward human spaceflight.
1991 – First Email Sent from Space: On August 19, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis sent the first email from space using a Macintosh Portable computer.
This event highlighted the growing role of digital communication in space exploration.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1930 – Premiere of “Animal Crackers”: The Marx Brothers’ film “Animal Crackers” premiered on August 19 in New York City.
Featuring Groucho Marx’s iconic humor, the movie became a classic of early Hollywood comedy.
1969 – Woodstock Festival Concludes: Although it began on August 15, the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Fair officially wrapped up on August 19 after an extension due to weather delays.
The event remains a defining moment of the 1960s counterculture movement.
1989 – Release of “Uncle Buck”: The comedy film “Uncle Buck,” starring John Candy, premiered on this day.
The movie, centered on a lovable but chaotic uncle, became a family favorite and a highlight of Candy’s career.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1951 – Smallest Player in MLB History: As noted earlier, Eddie Gaedel, standing at just 3 feet 7 inches, made his sole appearance in Major League Baseball on August 19.
His at-bat, orchestrated as a publicity stunt, resulted in a walk and remains one of the oddest moments in sports history.
1960 – Dogs in Space Get Famous: When Belka and Strelka returned from their space mission on this day, they became instant celebrities in the Soviet Union.
Strelka even had puppies later, one of which was gifted to U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline.
Today in History for Kids
43 BC – A Young Leader Takes Charge: A long time ago in ancient Rome, a young man named Octavian became a leader on August 19.
He later became the first Roman Emperor, called Augustus, and helped make Rome very powerful.
1839 – The First Kind of Camera: On this day, people learned how to take pictures for the first time with something called a daguerreotype.
It was like the great-great-grandfather of today’s cameras and let people save memories in a whole new way.
1960 – Dogs Go to Space: Two brave dogs named Belka and Strelka flew into space on August 19 and came back safely.
This showed scientists that living things could travel to space, which helped humans go there later.
2016 – Fastest Man Wins Again: Usain Bolt, a super-fast runner from Jamaica, won a gold medal in the 200-meter race at the Olympics on this day.
Kids can imagine running as fast as him—he’s like a real-life superhero!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
First Space Email Timing: The first email sent from space on August 19, 1991, wasn’t just a tech milestone—it was sent using an early Apple computer, showing how even back then, personal tech was part of big achievements.
USS Constitution’s Nickname Origin: The USS Constitution earned its nickname “Old Ironsides” during the August 19, 1812, battle when British cannonballs seemed to bounce off its sturdy wooden hull, as if it were made of iron.
Woodstock’s Unexpected Length: The Woodstock Festival, ending on August 19, 1969, wasn’t supposed to last so long, but rain and scheduling issues stretched it out, turning it into an even bigger legend with over 400,000 attendees.
Bill Clinton’s Unique Birthday: Bill Clinton, born on August 19, 1946, shares his birthday with another U.S. President, Benjamin Harrison, born on August 20, 1833, making this week a rare presidential birthday cluster.