March 19 stands as a significant date in history, marked by transformative events across centuries. From the adoption of Spain’s 1812 Constitution to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, this day has witnessed political upheaval and cultural milestones. Notable figures were born, and others left their mark before passing. What specific moments shaped this date, and how do they resonate today? Explore further to uncover these impactful stories.
History
Major Historical Events
1812 – Spanish Constitution Promulgated: On this day, the Spanish Constitution of 1812, also known as the Constitution of Cádiz, was officially adopted by the Cortes of Cádiz during the Peninsular War.
This liberal constitution was one of the first of its kind in Europe, establishing a constitutional monarchy and limiting the power of the king while promoting individual rights and freedoms.
1861 – First Taranaki War Ends in New Zealand: The First Taranaki War, a conflict between Māori tribes and British colonial forces over land disputes in New Zealand, concluded with a ceasefire on March 19.
The war highlighted tensions over European settlement and Māori land rights, setting the stage for further conflicts in the region.
1918 – U.S. Congress Establishes Time Zones: On March 19, the United States Congress passed the Standard Time Act, officially establishing time zones across the country and implementing Daylight Saving Time for the first time.
This measure was initially introduced to conserve energy during World War I.
1931 – Gambling Legalized in Nevada: Nevada became the first U.S. state to legalize gambling on this date, a decision that paved the way for the development of Las Vegas as a global entertainment and gaming hub.
This legislation was partly motivated by the economic struggles of the Great Depression.
1945 – USS Franklin Hit by Kamikaze Attack: During World War II, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Franklin was struck by a Japanese kamikaze pilot off the coast of Japan, resulting in massive damage and the loss of over 800 crew members.
Despite the devastation, the ship was saved and later repaired.
2003 – U.S.-Led Invasion of Iraq Begins: On March 19, the United States, along with coalition forces, launched a military campaign in Iraq, marking the start of the Iraq War.
The invasion, based on claims of weapons of mass destruction, led to the eventual overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Famous Birthdays
1848 – Wyatt Earp Born: Legendary American lawman and gambler Wyatt Earp, known for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, was born on March 19 in Monmouth, Illinois.
His life became a symbol of the Wild West, inspiring countless stories and films.
1906 – Adolf Eichmann Born: Adolf Eichmann, a high-ranking Nazi official and one of the key architects of the Holocaust, was born on this day in Solingen, Germany.
He was later captured, tried, and executed for war crimes in 1962.
1936 – Ursula Andress Born: Swiss actress Ursula Andress, often remembered as the first “Bond girl” for her iconic role in the 1962 James Bond film *Dr. No*, was born on March 19 in Ostermundigen, Switzerland.
Her career helped define glamour in cinema.
1955 – Bruce Willis Born: American actor Bruce Willis, famous for starring in blockbuster films like *Die Hard* and *Pulp Fiction*, was born on this date in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany.
His tough-guy persona made him a Hollywood icon.
Notable Deaths
1930 – Arthur Balfour Dies: Arthur Balfour, a British statesman who served as Prime Minister from 1902 to 1905 and authored the Balfour Declaration of 1917 supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine, passed away on March 19 at the age of 81.
1950 – Edgar Rice Burroughs Dies: American author Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of the iconic character Tarzan and numerous science fiction works, died on this day in Encino, California, at the age of 74.
His stories continue to inspire generations.
2008 – Arthur C. Clarke Dies: British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, renowned for works like *2001: A Space Odyssey*, passed away on March 19 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the age of 90.
His visionary ideas shaped modern science fiction.
Today in Music History
1958 – Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra Records Hit: On March 19, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra recorded the song *Tea for Two Cha Cha*, which became a popular hit and showcased the big band sound blended with Latin rhythms.
This reflected the era’s evolving music trends.
1962 – Bob Dylan Releases Debut Album: Folk legend Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut album on this day through Columbia Records.
Though it initially had modest sales, it marked the start of his influential career in music and social commentary.
1971 – T. Rex Tops UK Charts: The British glam rock band T. Rex reached number one on the UK charts with their single *Hot Love* on March 19, cementing their status as pioneers of the glam rock movement under Marc Bolan’s leadership.
1982 – Ozzy Osbourne’s Guitarist Randy Rhoads Dies: Tragically, on this day, Randy Rhoads, the talented guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, died in a plane crash in Leesburg, Florida, at the age of 25.
His innovative playing left a lasting impact on heavy metal.
Today in Sports History
1937 – First NCAA Basketball Tournament Begins: The first-ever NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament tipped off on March 19, organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Though small in scale compared to today, it laid the foundation for the iconic March Madness.
1966 – Texas Western Wins NCAA Championship: On this day, Texas Western College (now UTEP) defeated Kentucky to win the NCAA basketball title, becoming the first team with an all-Black starting lineup to claim the championship.
This was a landmark moment in sports and civil rights history.
1981 – Buffalo Sabres Set NHL Record: The Buffalo Sabres set an NHL record for the fastest three goals scored by one team, achieving the feat in just 44 seconds during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 19.
Today in Military and Naval History
1863 – Confederate Ship CSS Georgiana Sunk: During the American Civil War, the Confederate blockade runner CSS Georgiana was destroyed on March 19 near Charleston, South Carolina, by Union forces.
This dealt a blow to Southern supply lines.
1944 – German Forces Occupy Hungary: On this day during World War II, German troops occupied Hungary in Operation Margarethe, aiming to prevent the country from negotiating a separate peace with the Allies.
This led to the deportation of Hungarian Jews to concentration camps.
1965 – U.S. Increases Involvement in Vietnam: The U.S. military authorized the deployment of two additional Marine battalions to South Vietnam on March 19, marking a significant escalation of American involvement in the Vietnam War.
Today in Tech and Science History
1915 – Pluto Photographed for the First Time: Although not yet recognized as a planet, Pluto was first photographed on March 19 at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona by astronomer Percival Lowell.
Though its significance wasn’t understood until later.
1953 – First Color TV Broadcast in the U.S.: The first successful color television broadcast took place on this day during the Academy Awards ceremony.
This marked a major milestone in the evolution of television technology and entertainment.
2006 – NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Enters Orbit: On March 19, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully entered orbit around Mars.
This began a mission to study the planet’s surface, atmosphere, and subsurface in unprecedented detail.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1928 – Amos ‘n’ Andy Debuts on Radio: The controversial radio show *Amos ‘n’ Andy*, featuring white actors portraying Black characters, premiered on March 19 on WMAQ in Chicago.
It became one of the most popular programs of its time despite later criticism for racial stereotypes.
1953 – Academy Awards Broadcast in Color: The 25th Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 19, became the first to be broadcast in color.
It showcased films like *The Greatest Show on Earth*, which won Best Picture, to a wider television audience.
1969 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono Marry: On this day, Beatles member John Lennon married artist Yoko Ono in a private ceremony in Gibraltar.
This marked a significant personal and cultural moment during the height of the counterculture movement.
1987 – Televangelist Scandal Breaks: On March 19, televangelist Jim Bakker resigned from his ministry after a scandal involving financial improprieties and personal misconduct became public.
This shook the world of American religious broadcasting.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1891 – First Recorded Use of “OK” in Print: On March 19, the abbreviation “OK” was reportedly used in print for the first time in the Boston Morning Post as a humorous misspelling of “all correct.”
This sparked a linguistic trend that endures today.
1931 – Nevada’s Quickie Divorces Begin: Alongside legalizing gambling, Nevada also relaxed divorce laws on this day, requiring only six weeks of residency.
This led to the state becoming a hub for quick divorces and earning a quirky reputation.
1979 – House of Representatives Broadcasts Live: For the first time, the U.S. House of Representatives allowed live television broadcasts of its proceedings on March 19 via C-SPAN.
This occasionally led to amusing and unexpected moments captured on camera.
Today in History for Kids
1812 – Spain Gets a New Set of Rules: A long time ago in Spain, on March 19, people made a special set of rules called a constitution.
It was like a big promise to make sure everyone was treated fairly, even the king!
1918 – America Sets the Clock Right: On this day, the United States decided to split the country into different time zones so everyone could keep track of time better.
They also started “Daylight Saving Time” to save energy during a big war.
1937 – First Big College Basketball Game: A super exciting basketball tournament for college teams started on March 19.
It was the beginning of something called March Madness, which kids and grown-ups still love watching today!
1953 – Color TV Magic Happens: Imagine watching TV in black and white, then suddenly seeing colors!
On March 19, people in America saw a big awards show in color for the first time, making TV way more fun.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1861 – A War Over Land in New Zealand: Did you know that on March 19, a war ended in New Zealand between the Māori people and British settlers?
It was all about who should own the land, and it wasn’t the last fight over this issue.
1915 – Pluto Snapped in a Photo: Long before we knew much about it, a tiny dot called Pluto was photographed on March 19.
Scientists didn’t even realize it was a big discovery until years later!
1931 – Nevada’s Big Gamble Pays Off: On this day, Nevada said yes to gambling, turning it into a place where people could play games for money.
That’s why Las Vegas is so famous today!
1962 – Bob Dylan’s First Step to Fame: A young singer named Bob Dylan shared his first album with the world on March 19.
His songs told important stories and made people think about the world around them.
2003 – A War That Changed the World: On March 19, a huge war started in Iraq when the U.S. and other countries sent soldiers there.
It was a big event that affected millions of people for many years.