September 19 stands as a date etched with significant historical moments across centuries. From pivotal battles like Poitiers in 1356 to cultural milestones such as the rise of “The Twist” in 1960, this day has shaped history in diverse ways. Scientific breakthroughs and sporting triumphs also mark its legacy. What specific events defined these moments, and how did they influence the world? The answers await exploration.
History
Major Historical Events
1765 – Pontiac’s War Ends: In North America, the conflict known as Pontiac’s War, led by the Ottawa chief Pontiac against British forces, officially concluded with a peace agreement.
This uprising, sparked by dissatisfaction with British policies after the French and Indian War, saw numerous indigenous tribes unite in an attempt to drive out British settlers.
1863 – Battle of Chickamauga Begins: During the American Civil War, the Battle of Chickamauga started in Georgia, marking one of the bloodiest encounters of the conflict.
Fought between Union and Confederate forces, it resulted in a Confederate victory under General Braxton Bragg, though at a tremendous cost to both sides.
1940 – Witold Pilecki Enters Auschwitz: Polish resistance fighter Witold Pilecki voluntarily allowed himself to be captured by the Nazis to infiltrate Auschwitz concentration camp.
His detailed reports on the atrocities committed there became some of the first evidence of the Holocaust shared with the Allied forces.
1982 – First Emoticon Used: Scott Fahlman, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, proposed the use of 🙂 as a way to denote humor or happiness in online communication.
This marked the birth of the emoticon, forever changing digital conversations.
2011 – End of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy: The United States officially repealed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing gay and lesbian individuals to serve openly in the military.
This landmark decision was a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
Famous Birthdays
1926 – Masatoshi Koshiba: Japanese physicist Masatoshi Koshiba was born in Toyohashi, Japan.
He later won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2002 for his pioneering work in detecting cosmic neutrinos, contributing immensely to the field of particle physics.
1934 – Brian Epstein: Born in Liverpool, England, Brian Epstein became the manager of The Beatles, playing a pivotal role in their rise to global fame.
His vision and business acumen helped shape the band’s image and success.
1948 – Jeremy Irons: English actor Jeremy Irons was born in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Known for his versatile roles in films like “Reversal of Fortune” and “The Lion King,” Irons has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor.
1964 – Trisha Yearwood: American country music singer Trisha Yearwood was born in Monticello, Georgia.
With hits like “She’s in Love with the Boy,” she became a prominent figure in country music and also ventured into acting and cooking shows.
Notable Deaths
1881 – James A. Garfield: The 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield, died in Elberon, New Jersey, after being shot by an assassin on July 2 of the same year.
His death after 11 weeks of suffering highlighted the need for better medical care and presidential security.
1968 – Chester Carlson: American physicist and inventor Chester Carlson passed away.
He invented xerography, the process behind modern photocopying, revolutionizing document reproduction and office work worldwide.
2004 – Eddie Adams: Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Eddie Adams died on this day.
Best known for his iconic photograph of a Vietnamese general executing a Viet Cong prisoner, Adams’ work captured the raw emotion and tragedy of war.
Today in Music History
1960 – Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” Hits No. 1: Chubby Checker’s iconic song “The Twist” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sparking a dance craze that swept across the United States and beyond.
Its popularity endures as a symbol of 1960s pop culture.
1970 – First Glastonbury Festival: The inaugural Glastonbury Festival, then called the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival, took place in Somerset, England.
Organized by Michael Eavis, it laid the foundation for one of the world’s most famous music festivals.
1981 – Simon & Garfunkel Reunite in Central Park: Folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel performed a historic free concert in New York City’s Central Park, drawing over 500,000 fans.
The event was later released as a live album and film.
Today in Sports History
1912 – First Recorded Baseball Doubleheader Sweep: The New York Giants achieved the first recorded sweep of a doubleheader in Major League Baseball history by defeating the Boston Braves in both games of the day.
This feat showcased the team’s dominance at the time.
1988 – Greg Louganis Wins Olympic Gold: American diver Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard event at the Seoul Olympics, despite suffering a head injury during the competition.
His resilience made headlines worldwide.
2000 – Sydney Olympics Begin Swimming Events: The swimming competitions at the 2000 Sydney Olympics saw early records broken, with Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe earning his first gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle, setting a world record in the process.
2016 – Rio Paralympics Closing Ceremony: The closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Paralympics took place, marking the end of a historic event where athletes from around the world shattered stereotypes and achieved remarkable feats.
Today in Military and Naval History
1356 – Battle of Poitiers: During the Hundred Years’ War, the English army under Edward, the Black Prince, defeated French forces at the Battle of Poitiers in France.
This victory was a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
1863 – Second Day of the Battle of Chickamauga: The second day of this pivotal Civil War battle saw intense fighting, with Confederate forces gaining ground against Union troops.
The battle’s outcome temporarily bolstered Southern morale.
1944 – Battle of Hürtgen Forest Begins: In World War II, American forces engaged German troops in the Hürtgen Forest near the Belgian-German border.
This prolonged and brutal battle became one of the longest fought on German soil during the war.
Today in Tech and Science History
1957 – First Underground Nuclear Test in the U.S.: The United States conducted its first underground nuclear test, codenamed “Rainier,” in Nevada.
This test marked a shift in nuclear experimentation to reduce atmospheric fallout.
1982 – Birth of the Emoticon: As mentioned earlier, Scott Fahlman introduced the first emoticon, 🙂 , in a message on a Carnegie Mellon University bulletin board, revolutionizing how emotions are conveyed in digital communication.
2013 – SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Success: SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Canadian Space Agency’s CASSIOPE satellite.
This mission demonstrated advancements in reusable rocket technology.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1931 – First Performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as National Anthem: Though officially designated as the U.S. national anthem in 1931, “The Star-Spangled Banner” had its first notable performance in that capacity at a sporting event on this day, cementing its cultural significance.
1952 – Charlie Chaplin Barred from U.S.: Legendary filmmaker and actor Charlie Chaplin was denied re-entry to the United States after a trip abroad due to suspicions of communist sympathies during the McCarthy era.
This event marked a dark chapter in his career.
1985 – First “Farm Aid” Concert: Organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp, the first Farm Aid concert was held in Champaign, Illinois, to raise funds and awareness for struggling American farmers.
It became an annual event.
1995 – “The X-Files” Season 3 Premieres: The popular sci-fi series “The X-Files” premiered its third season on Fox, further cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon with its blend of mystery, conspiracy, and the paranormal.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1893 – New Zealand Grants Women the Vote: While not funny or weird in itself, New Zealand became the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote on this day, a decision so progressive for its time that it baffled many other nations.
1982 – Smiley Face Goes Digital: The introduction of the emoticon by Scott Fahlman, as noted earlier, was initially met with amusement and skepticism, with some users unsure how to interpret the sideways smile.
2010 – World’s Largest Coffee Morning Record Attempt: On this day, thousands gathered in the UK for Macmillan Cancer Support’s “World’s Largest Coffee Morning,” an oddly specific yet heartwarming fundraiser that broke records for participation.
Today in History for Kids
1765 – A Brave Chief Makes Peace: A long time ago, a Native American leader named Pontiac decided to stop fighting with the British soldiers in America and made peace.
It was a big deal because many tribes worked together to try to protect their land.
1863 – A Huge Battle in Georgia: During a big war in America called the Civil War, soldiers fought in a place called Chickamauga.
It was a very tough fight, and many people were hurt, but it helped shape what happened next in the war.
1982 – The First Smile on a Computer: A man named Scott made a funny face with symbols on a computer to show he was joking.
It looked like this: 🙂 and it was the first time anyone did that!
Now we use emojis all the time.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Oldest Emoticon: The emoticon created on this day in 1982 is still used today, though it has evolved into colorful emojis.
It’s amazing to think a simple idea changed how we talk online forever.
Did You Know? – Battle of Chickamauga’s Toll: The Battle of Chickamauga in 1863 was so fierce that it had the second-highest number of casualties in the entire American Civil War, only behind the Battle of Gettysburg.
Did You Know? – Glastonbury’s Humble Start: The first Glastonbury Festival in 1970 had just 1,500 attendees and cost only £1 to enter, a far cry from the massive event it is today with hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Did You Know? – Witold Pilecki’s Courage: Witold Pilecki, who entered Auschwitz on purpose in 1940, not only survived but escaped in 1943 to tell the world about the horrors he witnessed, risking his life for the truth.
Did You Know? – Farm Aid’s Impact: The first Farm Aid concert in 1985 raised over $9 million for family farmers in need, showing how music can make a real difference in people’s lives.