On This Day in History – November 19

November 19 has witnessed moments that defined nations, advanced science, and reshaped global culture. From monumental speeches to historic discoveries and political milestones, this date has served as a turning point throughout world history.

Major Events

1. 1493 – Christopher Columbus discovers the island of Puerto Rico during his second voyage to the New World, claiming it for Spain.
2. 1620 – The Mayflower Compact is signed near Cape Cod, establishing a framework for self-government among the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony.
3. 1863 – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, redefining the American vision of freedom and democracy.
4. 1881 – A meteorite weighing over 100 pounds falls near Newcastle, England, one of the largest recorded meteor impacts in Europe.
5. 1911 – The British battleship HMS Neptune is commissioned, introducing new dreadnought design innovations.
6. 1942 – Soviet forces launch Operation Uranus, encircling the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad and turning the tide of World War II on the Eastern Front.
7. 1959 – The Ford Motor Company announces the discontinuation of the Edsel after just three model years, marking one of the biggest failures in automotive history.
8. 1969 – Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean make the second successful moon landing, exploring the Ocean of Storms.
9. 1977 – Egyptian President Anwar Sadat becomes the first Arab leader to visit Israel, paving the way for the 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty.
10. 1985 – U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev meet in Geneva for their first summit, initiating a new phase in Cold War diplomacy.
11. 1990 – Pop duo Milli Vanilli are stripped of their Grammy Award after it’s revealed they did not sing on their album, leading to a major music industry scandal.
12. 2010 – The world’s first bionic eye implant is successfully tested in a patient in Australia, restoring partial vision.

Famous Birthdays

1. James A. Garfield (1831–1881) — 20th President of the United States, remembered for his brief presidency and tragic assassination.
2. Indira Gandhi (1917–1984) — Prime Minister of India and one of the most influential leaders in South Asian history.
3. Tommy Dorsey (1905–1956) — American jazz trombonist and bandleader whose orchestra helped launch Frank Sinatra’s career.
4. Larry King (1933–2021) — American talk show host renowned for his long-running interview program on CNN.
5. Ted Turner (1938– ) — American media mogul and founder of CNN, TBS, and Turner Broadcasting System.
6. Calvin Klein (1942– ) — American fashion designer who revolutionized minimalist style.
7. Jodie Foster (1962– ) — American actress, director, and two-time Academy Award winner.
8. Meg Ryan (1961– ) — American actress known for her roles in romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally.
9. Allison Janney (1959– ) — American actress known for The West Wing and I, Tonya.
10. Adam Driver (1983– ) — American actor recognized for Star Wars and Marriage Story.

Notable Deaths

1. Franz Schubert (1797–1828) — Austrian composer known for his symphonies, chamber music, and over 600 songs.
2. Wilhelm Dilthey (1833–1911) — German philosopher and historian, influential in the humanities and the study of understanding (verstehen).
3. Emma Lazarus (1849–1887) — American poet whose sonnet “The New Colossus” is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.
4. Joseph Campanella (1924–2018) — American television actor with a six-decade career.
5. Freddie Mercury (1946–1991) — British singer-songwriter, frontman of the band Queen, remembered as one of the greatest performers in rock history.
6. William Golding (1911–1993) — British author and Nobel Prize winner, best known for Lord of the Flies.
7. John Rawls (1921–2002) — American political philosopher whose A Theory of Justice redefined modern liberal thought.
8. Jeane Kirkpatrick (1926–2006) — American diplomat and political scientist, the first female U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
9. Robert Vaughn (1932–2016) — American actor known for The Man from U.N.C.L.E..

Holidays

• International Men’s Day — Promotes men’s health, gender equality, and positive male role models worldwide.
• Monaco National Day — Celebrates the country’s sovereignty and the reign of Prince Albert II.
• World Toilet Day (UN) — Raises awareness of global sanitation issues and promotes access to clean water and hygiene.
• Discovery Day (Puerto Rico) — Commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival on the island in 1493.
• Flag Day (Brazil) — Honors the adoption of the Brazilian national flag following the 1889 proclamation of the republic.

Fun Facts

• Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address lasted just over two minutes but is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history.
• Operation Uranus at Stalingrad became a key moment in World War II, marking Germany’s first major defeat on the Eastern Front.
• Freddie Mercury performed his last live concert with Queen in 1986, five years before his death on this date.
• The Ford Edsel’s failure cost the company over $350 million and became a case study in marketing missteps.
• November 19 is also celebrated as “World Toilet Day,” an unusual but vital UN observance promoting global sanitation.