This article explores a collection of notable historical events that occurred on July 19th, spanning various centuries and regions.
Each event reflects pivotal moments in history that have shaped societies, influenced global relationships, and transformed cultural and political landscapes.
From decisive battles and groundbreaking discoveries to significant political shifts and tragic incidents, July 19th has been a day of profound importance throughout history.
We delve into each event, providing context and insight into its historical significance and lasting impact.
July 19th – On this Day in History
711 – Battle of Guadalete; Umayyad conquest of Spain begins
On July 19, 711, the Battle of Guadalete marked a decisive moment in the Umayyad conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Tariq ibn-Ziyad, leading a largely Berber army, faced the forces of the Visigothic king Roderic.
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The battle, taking place near the Guadalete River in modern-day Spain, resulted in a crushing defeat for the Visigoths. This pivotal clash not only led to the downfall of the Visigothic kingdom but also opened the gates for Muslim rule across a large part of the peninsula, setting the stage for centuries of Muslim presence in Spain.
1333 – Battle of Halidon Hill; English defeat Scots
The Battle of Halidon Hill was fought on July 19, 1333, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. English forces, commanded by King Edward III, used superior tactics, including the effective use of longbowmen, to defeat the Scottish army led by Sir Archibald Douglas.
The battle occurred near Berwick-upon-Tweed, and its outcome was significant, solidifying English control over the disputed area for several years and severely weakening Scottish resistance in the region.
1545 – The Mary Rose sinks off Portsmouth
The Mary Rose, a warship of the English Tudor navy, met a tragic end on July 19, 1545, while leading the attack against the French fleet at the Battle of the Solent. The ship suddenly sank in front of the entire English fleet, with most of her crew perishing.
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The exact cause of her sinking remains a subject of speculation, ranging from being overloaded to a catastrophic failure in handling. In 1982, the wreck was raised from the seabed in a major maritime salvage operation, providing invaluable insights into Tudor naval life.
1553 – Lady Jane Grey replaced by Mary I of England
Lady Jane Grey, known as the “Nine Days’ Queen,” was deposed on July 19, 1553, after just nine days on the throne, one of the shortest reigns in English history. Her accession had been part of a Protestant plot to prevent the Catholic Mary I from coming to the throne following the death of Edward VI.
However, Mary’s swift and decisive action gathered enough support to overthrow Jane, who was subsequently imprisoned and eventually executed. Mary I’s accession marked the restoration of Catholicism in England for a brief period.
1701 – Nanfan Treaty signed; Iroquois cede land to England
On July 19, 1701, the Nanfan Treaty was signed, an agreement between representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy and the English colonial government. The treaty ceded a vast territory north of the Ohio River to England, although its legitimacy and interpretation have been disputed over the centuries.
The treaty is seen by some historians as a significant but controversial part of the colonial expansion into North America, impacting the native populations and setting the stage for further English settlements in the area.
1799 – Rosetta Stone found
The discovery of the Rosetta Stone on July 19, 1799, by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt, marked a significant milestone in the study of ancient Egyptian civilization. The stone features a decree issued in Memphis, Egypt in 196 BC, inscribed in three scripts: hieroglyphic, demotic, and ancient Greek.
This tri-lingual nature was key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, a script lost for centuries. The breakthrough in understanding came through the efforts of the linguist Jean-François Champollion in 1822, which opened up vast fields of Egyptology by providing the means to read ancient Egyptian texts and inscriptions.
1843 – SS Great Britain launched
On July 19, 1843, the SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was launched and became one of the most significant ships of its time. This vessel was the first iron-steamer to cross the Atlantic and was notable for its use of a screw propeller, an innovative feature that would come to replace paddle wheels in steamships.
The ship’s size, speed, and the efficiency of her propeller were revolutionary, influencing the future of naval engineering. The SS Great Britain initially served the transatlantic route between Bristol and New York, and later served as a luxury liner to Australia, a troop ship, and a cargo vessel, before being retired and eventually preserved as a museum ship in Bristol.
1848 – First Women’s Rights Convention ends
The first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, concluded on July 19, 1848. Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the convention marked the beginning of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. The meeting drew about 300 attendees, including women and men.
The highlight of the convention was the Declaration of Sentiments, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, which asserted women’s equality in all spheres of life and listed grievances against laws and customs that discriminated against women. This event catalyzed future efforts aimed at securing women’s rights, including the right to vote.
1870 – France declares war on Prussia
On July 19, 1870, France declared war on Prussia, initiating the Franco-Prussian War. This conflict arose from tensions between the Second French Empire, led by Napoleon III, and the Kingdom of Prussia, with broader implications for the balance of power in Europe. The immediate cause was the Ems Dispatch, a manipulated message from the Prussian King that insulted the French.
The war dramatically shifted European alliances and power structures, leading to significant territorial and political changes. It resulted in the defeat of France and the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles in 1871.
1879 – Doc Holliday kills Mike Gordon
On July 19, 1879, the famed American gambler, gunfighter, and dentist Doc Holliday killed Mike Gordon in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The altercation began when Gordon, reportedly unhappy with his losses at the card table in Holliday’s saloon, began shooting up the establishment.
Holliday responded, fatally shooting Gordon. This incident is one of many that characterized the violence of the American Old West. It added to Holliday’s notoriety, which was already well established by his involvement in the O.K. Corral shootout and his associations with other infamous figures of the era like Wyatt Earp.
1900 – First line of Paris Métro opens
On July 19, 1900, Paris inaugurated its first Métro line, marking a significant development in urban transportation for the city. This initial line, known as Line 1, stretched from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot, covering a distance that helped connect the far eastern and western parts of the city.
The Paris Métro was built to improve public transportation and to facilitate access across the city, especially in anticipation of the 1900 Paris World’s Fair. The system was designed for efficiency and speed, quickly becoming an integral part of Parisian daily life and a model for urban mass transit systems worldwide.
1903 – Maurice Garin wins first Tour de France
Maurice Garin emerged as the winner of the inaugural Tour de France on July 19, 1903. This grueling multi-stage cycling race was organized by the newspaper L’Auto, intended to increase its circulation and boost the popularity of cycling in France.
The 1903 Tour covered six stages and 2,428 km, a formidable challenge at the time. Garin, an Italian-born French cyclist, dominated the race, securing a decisive victory that paved the way for the Tour de France to become the most prestigious cycling race globally.
1943 – Allied bombing of Rome in WWII
On July 19, 1943, during World War II, Rome was subjected to a significant aerial bombardment by Allied forces.
The raid targeted the San Lorenzo district and the surrounding areas, aiming at disrupting the city’s rail communications and weakening Italian military capability amid the broader strategic goals of the Allies in Italy.
The bombing caused extensive damage to infrastructure and residential areas, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. This event marked a turning point in Italy’s involvement in the war, contributing to the weakening of Mussolini’s regime and paving the way for the eventual Allied invasion of Italy.
1947 – Assassination of Lyuh Woon-hyung
Lyuh Woon-hyung, a prominent Korean independence activist and politician, was assassinated on July 19, 1947. This occurred during a tumultuous period in Korean history, shortly after the end of Japanese occupation and amidst the political chaos surrounding the division of Korea into North and South.
Lyuh was a key advocate for Korean unification and democracy, and his death removed a significant voice for moderation and reconciliation between the communist North and the anti-communist South. His assassination deepened the ideological divide, contributing to the escalating tensions that would eventually lead to the Korean War.
1961 – TWA Flight 800 hijacked
On July 19, 1961, TWA Flight 800, en route from Rome to Athens, was hijacked by a lone gunman. This incident was among the earlier episodes of aerial hijacking in commercial aviation history. The hijacker, armed and demanding to be taken to Beirut, Lebanon, forced the plane to divert, sparking international attention.
The event ended without fatalities, with the hijacker eventually surrendering to Lebanese authorities. This hijacking highlighted the emerging security challenges in international air travel and led to increased security measures aboard commercial flights.
1976 – Creation of Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
On July 19, 1976, Sagarmatha National Park was officially established in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal. The park covers an area of 1,148 square kilometers and includes Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. It is renowned for its rugged terrain, dramatic peaks, and unique flora and fauna, including species such as the snow leopard and the red panda.
Sagarmatha is significant not only for its natural beauty and biodiversity but also for its cultural importance to the Sherpa people who inhabit the region. The park’s creation was a crucial step in preserving the ecological and cultural heritage of this sensitive mountain environment, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1979 – Sandinista rebels overthrow Nicaraguan government
The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), a group of Marxist rebels, successfully overthrew the government of the Somoza family in Nicaragua on July 19, 1979. This event marked the climax of a prolonged and bloody civil conflict that had engulfed the country.
The Sandinistas sought to end decades of dictatorship under the Somozas, which had been characterized by severe corruption and human rights abuses. The revolution fundamentally transformed Nicaraguan society and government, leading to significant but controversial reforms in land distribution, education, and health care, under the leadership of Daniel Ortega.
1989 – United Airlines Flight 232 crashes in Iowa
On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, en route from Denver to Chicago, suffered catastrophic failure of its tail engine, which led to the loss of hydraulic control of the aircraft. Despite the severe difficulties, the flight crew, led by Captain Al Haynes, managed a remarkable emergency landing at Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa.
Although the crash resulted in the deaths of 111 of the 296 passengers and crew aboard, the fact that 185 survived is attributed to the extraordinary efforts of the crew, emergency responders, and the implementation of innovative crash-landing techniques that have since influenced pilot training programs.
1992 – Car bomb kills Judge Paolo Borsellino in Italy
On July 19, 1992, Italian anti-Mafia judge Paolo Borsellino was assassinated by a car bomb in Palermo, Sicily, along with five members of his escort. This attack occurred only two months after the killing of his close friend and fellow anti-Mafia magistrate Giovanni Falcone, signaling a brutal campaign by the Sicilian Mafia against the Italian state.
Borsellino’s death galvanized public outrage and led to intensified crackdowns on Mafia activities. His legacy includes significant contributions to legal proceedings against organized crime in Italy, particularly through the use of rigorous investigative techniques and the establishment of high-security courtrooms.
2015 – U.S. and Cuba resume diplomatic relations
On July 19, 2015, the United States and Cuba officially restored full diplomatic relations after a hiatus of over 50 years. This historic thaw was marked by the reopening of embassies in Washington, D.C., and Havana.
The resumption of diplomatic ties was part of a broader initiative during the Obama administration to engage with Cuba, which included easing travel restrictions and initiating dialogues on human rights and economic issues.
This move represented a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba, aiming to end decades of hostility and economic sanctions that had defined Cold War-era relations between the two nations.