On This Day — August 19

🕰️ Notable Events on August 19

• 2013 — The Dhamara Ghat train accident kills at least 37 people in the Indian state of Bihar. Wikipedia ↗
• 2010 — Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, with the last of the United States brigade combat teams crossing the border to Kuwait. Wikipedia ↗
• 2009 — A series of bombings in Baghdad, Iraq, kills 101 and injures 565 others. Wikipedia ↗
• 2005 — The first-ever joint military exercise between Russia and China, called Peace Mission 2005 begins. Wikipedia ↗
• 2003 — A car-bomb attack on United Nations headquarters in Iraq kills the agency's top envoy Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 other employees. Wikipedia ↗
• 2003 — A suicide attack on a bus in Jerusalem, Israel, planned by Hamas, kills 23 Israelis, seven of them children, in the Shmuel HaNavi bus bombing. Wikipedia ↗
• 2002 — Khankala Mi-26 crash: A Russian Mil Mi-26 helicopter carrying troops is hit by a Chechen missile outside Grozny, killing 118 soldiers. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — In Belgrade, Yugoslavia, tens of thousands of Serbians rally to demand the resignation of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Slobodan Milošević. Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Dissolution of the Soviet Union, August Coup: Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev is placed under house arrest while on holiday in the town of Foros, Ukraine. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to be the first non-communist prime minister in 42 years. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Several hundred East Germans cross the frontier between Hungary and Austria during the Pan-European Picnic, part of the events that began the process of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Hungerford massacre: In the United Kingdom, Michael Ryan kills sixteen people with a semi-automatic rifle and then commits suicide. Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Gulf of Sidra Incident: United States fighters intercept and shoot down two Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 fighter jets over the Gulf of Sidra. Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Saudia Flight 163, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar burns after making an emergency landing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing 301 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — In Iran, Cinema Rex fire caused more than 400 deaths. Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Japanese prime minister Eisaku Satō becomes the first post-World War II sitting prime minister to visit Okinawa Prefecture. Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, was launched. Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Cold War: In Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, downed American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is sentenced to ten years imprisonment by the Soviet Union for espionage. Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Sputnik program: Korabl-Sputnik 2: The Soviet Union launches the satellite with the dogs Belka and Strelka, 40 mice, two rats and a variety of plants. Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — In the Northeast United States, severe flooding caused by Hurricane Diane, claims 200 lives. Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Cold War: The CIA and MI6 help to overthrow the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran and reinstate the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — August Revolution: Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh take power in Hanoi, Vietnam. Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — World War II: Liberation of Paris: Paris, France rises against German occupation with the help of Allied troops. Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — World War II: Operation Jubilee: The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division leads an amphibious assault by allied forces on Dieppe, France and fails, many Canadians are killed or captured. The operation was intended to develop and try new amphibious landing tactics for the coming full invasion in Normandy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — First flight of the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — The first All-American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio. Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — The German referendum of 1934 approves Hitler's appointment as head of state with the title of Führer. Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Patriarch Sergius of Moscow proclaims the declaration of loyalty of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Soviet Union. Wikipedia ↗
• 1919 — Afghanistan gains full independence from the United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — The first automobile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Wikipedia ↗
• 1862 — American Indian Wars: During an uprising in Minnesota, Lakota warriors decide not to attack heavily defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing white settlers along the way. Wikipedia ↗
• 1861 — First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps. Wikipedia ↗
• 1854 — The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are massacred. Wikipedia ↗
• 1848 — California Gold Rush: The New York Herald breaks the news to the East Coast of the United States of the gold rush in California (although the rush started in January). Wikipedia ↗
• 1839 — The French government announces that Louis Daguerre's photographic process is a gift "free to the world". Wikipedia ↗
• 1813 — Gervasio Antonio de Posadas joins Argentina's Second Triumvirate. Wikipedia ↗
• 1812 — War of 1812: American frigate USS Constitution defeats the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada earning the nickname "Old Ironsides". Wikipedia ↗
• 1782 — American Revolutionary War: Battle of Blue Licks: The last major engagement of the war, almost ten months after the surrender of the British commander Charles Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown. Wikipedia ↗
• 1772 — Gustav III of Sweden stages a coup d'état, in which he assumes power and enacts a new constitution that divides power between the Riksdag and the King. Wikipedia ↗
• 1759 — Battle of Lagos Naval battle during the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France. Wikipedia ↗
• 1745 — Prince Charles Edward Stuart raises his standard in Glenfinnan: The start of the Second Jacobite Rebellion, known as "the 45". Wikipedia ↗
• 1745 — Ottoman-Persian War: In the Battle of Kars, the Ottoman army is routed by Persian forces led by Nader Shah. Wikipedia ↗
• 1692 — Salem witch trials: In Salem, Province of Massachusetts Bay, five people, one woman and four men, including a clergyman, are executed after being convicted of witchcraft. Wikipedia ↗
• 1666 — Second Anglo-Dutch War: Rear Admiral Robert Holmes leads a raid on the Dutch island of Terschelling, destroying 150 merchant ships, an act later known as "Holmes's Bonfire". Wikipedia ↗
• 1612 — The "Samlesbury witches", three women from the Lancashire village of Samlesbury, England, are put on trial, accused of practicing witchcraft, one of the most famous witch trials in British history. Wikipedia ↗
• 1561 — Mary, Queen of Scots, who was 18 years old, returns to Scotland after spending 13 years in France. Wikipedia ↗
• 1504 — In Ireland, the Hiberno-Norman de Burghs (Burkes) and Anglo-Norman Fitzgeralds fight in the Battle of Knockdoe. Wikipedia ↗
• 1153 — Baldwin III of Jerusalem takes control of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from his mother Melisende, and also captures Ascalon. Wikipedia ↗
• 947 — Abu Yazid, a Kharijite rebel leader, is defeated and killed in the Hodna Mountains in modern-day Algeria by Fatimid forces. Wikipedia ↗
• The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, is dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges during the Third Samnite War. Wikipedia ↗
• Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on August 19

• 1996 — Hsu Ching-wen, Taiwanese tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1995 — Dylan Phythian, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Guadalupe Pérez Rojas, Argentinian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Nafissatou Thiam, Belgian pentathlete Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Danny Galbraith, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Romeo Miller, American basketball player, rapper, actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Hoodie Allen, American rapper Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Kirk Cousins, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Veronica Roth, American author Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Nick Driebergen, Dutch swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Nico Hülkenberg, German race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Anaïs Lameche, French-Swedish singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Richard Stearman, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Sotiris Balafas, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Saori Kimura, Japanese volleyball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — David A. Gregory, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Gavin Cooper, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Lindsey Jacobellis, American snowboarder Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Simon Bird, English actor and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Alessandro Matri, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Ryan Taylor, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Mike Conway, English race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Missy Higgins, Australian singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — John McCargo, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — J. J. Hardy, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Kevin Rans, Belgian pole vaulter Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Nick Kennedy, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Percy Watson, American football player and wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Jun Jin, South Korean singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Paul Parry, Welsh footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Michael Todd, American bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Darius Campbell, Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Dave Douglas, American singer-songwriter and drummer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Oumar Kondé, Swiss footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Chris Capuano, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Qais Al Khonji, Omani entrepreneur Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Iban Mayo, Spanish cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Régine Chassagne, Canadian singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Stephan Schmidt, German footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Chynna Clugston, American illustrator Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Anja Knippel, German runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Andy Neate, English racing driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Carl Bulfin, New Zealand cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Marco Materazzi, Italian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Roberto Abbondanzieri, Argentinian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Chihiro Yonekura, Japanese singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Mary Joe Fernández, Dominican-American tennis player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — João Vieira Pinto, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Jeff Tam, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Nate Dogg, American rapper (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Matthew Perry, American actor, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Kazuyoshi Tatsunami, Japanese baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Clay Walker, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Khandro Rinpoche, Indian spiritual leader Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Lee Ann Womack, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Kevin Dillon, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Kyra Sedgwick, American actress and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Hemant Birje, Indian actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — John Stamos, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Joey Tempest, Swedish rock singer-songwriter and musician (Europe) Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Jonathan Coe, English author and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Morten Andersen, Danish-American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Ron Darling, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Ricky Pierce, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Gary Gaetti, American baseball player, coach, and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Anthony Muñoz, American football player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Brendan Nelson, Australian physician and politician, 47th Minister for Defence for Australia Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Rick Snyder, American politician and businessman, 48th Governor of Michigan Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Darryl Sutter, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Paul-Jan Bakker, Dutch cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Gary Chapman, American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Martin Donovan, American actor and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Ian Gould, English cricketer and umpire Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Christine Soetewey, Belgian high jumper Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Gerda Verburg, Dutch trade union leader and politician, Dutch Minister of Agriculture Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Adam Arkin, American actor, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — José Rubén Zamora, Guatemalan journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Mary-Anne Fahey, Australian actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Peter Gallagher, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Dominica-born English lawyer and politician, Attorney General for England and Wales Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Ned Yost, American baseball player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Oscar Larrauri, Argentinian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Mary Matalin, American political consultant Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Jonathan Frakes, American actor and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — John Deacon, English bass player and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Gustavo Santaolalla, Argentinian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Graeme Beard, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Jennie Bond, English journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Michael Nazir-Ali, Pakistani-English bishop Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Robert Hughes, Australian actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Elliot Lurie, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Gerald McRaney, American actor, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Christy O'Connor Jnr, Irish golfer and architect (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Dave Dutton, English actor and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Terry Hoeppner, American football player and coach (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Gerard Schwarz, American conductor and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Anuška Ferligoj, Slovenian mathematician Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Charles Bolden, American general and astronaut Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Bill Clinton, American lawyer and politician, 42nd President of the United States Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Dawn Steel, American film producer (d. 1997) Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Dennis Eichhorn, American author and illustrator (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Charles Wellesley, 9th Duke of Wellington, English politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Ian Gillan, English singer-songwriter (Deep Purple and Black Sabbath) Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Jack Canfield, American author Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Bodil Malmsten, Swedish author and poet Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Eddy Raven, American country music singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Charles Wang, Chinese-American businessman and philanthropist, co-founded Computer Associates International Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Don Fardon, English pop singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Sid Going, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Billy J. Kramer, English pop singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Fred Thompson, American actor, lawyer, and politician (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Mihalis Papagiannakis, Greek educator and politician (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Roger Cook, English songwriter, singer, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Johnny Nash, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Jill St. John, American model and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Ginger Baker, English drummer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Diana Muldaur, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Nelly Vuksic, Argentine conductor and musician Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Richard Ingrams, English journalist, founded The Oldie Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — William Motzing, American composer and conductor (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Richard McBrien, American priest, theologian, and academic (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Bobby Richardson, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — David Durenberger, American soldier, lawyer, and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Renée Richards, American tennis player and ophthalmologist Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Bettina Cirone, American model and photographer Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — David Hopwood, English microbiologist and geneticist Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Debra Paget, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Thomas P. Salmon, American lawyer and politician, 75th Governor of Vermont Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Banharn Silpa-archa, Thai politician, Prime Minister (1995-1996) (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Bill Shoemaker, American jockey and author (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Frank McCourt, American author and educator (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Bill Foster, American basketball player and coach (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Ion N. Petrovici, Romanian-German neurologist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Bernard Levin, English journalist, author, and broadcaster (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1926 — Angus Scrimm, American actor and author (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Claude Gauvreau, Canadian poet and playwright (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Willard Boyle, Canadian physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1921 — Gene Roddenberry, American screenwriter and producer (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1919 — Malcolm Forbes, American publisher and politician (d. 1990) Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — Jimmy Rowles, American singer-songwriter and pianist (d. 1996) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Dennis Poore, English race car driver and businessman (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1915 — Ring Lardner, Jr., American journalist and screenwriter (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
• 1915 — Alfred Rouleau, Canadian businessman (d. 1985) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Lajos Baróti, Hungarian footballer and manager (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Fumio Hayasaka, Japanese composer (d. 1955) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — John Argyris, Greek engineer and academic (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Peter Kemp, Indian-English soldier and author (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Richard Simmons, American actor (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1911 — Anna Terruwe, Dutch psychiatrist and author (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on August 19 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on August 19

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Birth of Mawlāna Jalāluddīn Rūmi ق
• Hindu: Raksha Bandhan
• Chinese: Qixi Festival