Fact 1: Birth of a Genius
October 19th is the birth date of Sir Thomas Browne, a 17th century English polymath. Born in 1605, he was an author who contributed significantly to various scientific, religious, and esoteric works, showcasing his vast knowledge. Browne was born on October 19, incidentally, the same date as the literary great, John le Carré, who followed 334 years later in 1931.
Fact 2: The Start of the Hundred Years’ War
On October 19, 1337, the famous Hundred Years' War between England and France began, setting a significant milestone in European history. This conflict inspired many innovations in military strategy and weaponry, establishing some of the foundations of modern warfare.
Fact 3: Lyndon B. Johnson’s 'War on Poverty'
October 19th, 1965, marked the establishment of Head Start by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his 'war on poverty'. The program seeks to prepare disadvantaged children for school by providing them with social, nutritional, and educational services.
Fact 4: A Grammy Record Set
On October 19th, 1961, comedian Bob Newhart set a record as the only comedian to win Album of the year at the 3rd annual Grammy Awards. His album ‘The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart’ saw unprecedented success, confirming Newhart's place in comedic history.
Fact 5: The September 11 Attack Response
Huge military operations were launched on October 19, 2001, just over a month after the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks. The American-led coalition launched several strategic airstrikes over the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, marking a significant phase of the 'War on Terror'.
Fact 6: Busting Al Capone
On October 19, 1931, the notorious gangster Al Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion. This was a milestone in law enforcement's struggle against organized crime during the Prohibition era.
Fact 7: Black Monday of 1987
On this day, the world's stock markets experienced a drastic crash known as 'Black Monday'. The crash affected many countries, leading to a global recession. Interestingly, this event occurred on October 19, 1987, demonstrating the unpredictability of the global economy.
Fact 8: The Birth of the Internet
On October 19, 1969, the first-ever electronic message was sent over the ARPANET, predecessor of the modern internet. This marked the beginnings of the information age, and the world has never been the same since.
Fact 9: Protests in Belgrade
October 19, 2000, saw a massive protest in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, with an estimated 200,000 people rallying against President Slobodan Milosevic. This marked a historic moment in people's democratic struggle in Yugoslavia.
Fact 10: The Lever Act
On October 19, 1917, the Lever Act was established by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I, allowing the President control over food and fuel production, aiming to protect the American economy during a period of war.
Fact 11: Successful Cloning
October 19, 1995, saw the creation of Megan and Morag, the first-ever mammals (sheep, to be precise) cloned from differentiated cells.
Fact 12: The USS Constitution Sets Sail
The oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat, the USS Constitution, set sail for the first time on October 19, 1797. It remains a symbol of the United States Navy's origins.
Fact 13: New Zealand’s Independence
New Zealand ratified their Constitution Act on October 19, 1852, gaining independence from the British colony and establishing the country's system of governance.
Fact 14: Unveiling the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria
October 19, 1985, marked the unveiling of the replicas of the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria ships, the vessels that Christopher Columbus used to explore the New World.
Fact 15: Death of Jonathan Swift
Known for his satirical writing, the author of Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift, died on October 19, 1745.
Fact 16: The Birth of the Motion Picture Projector
On October 19, 1899, Charles Francis Jenkins patented his motion picture projector. This was a guiding light towards the evolution of the cinematic world.
Fact 17: The Founding of Amnesty International USA
Founded on October 19, 1966, Amnesty International USA has significant contributions in advocating for human rights worldwide.
Fact 18: Birth of a Baseball Legend
October 19, 1932, marked the birth of baseball legend Robert 'Bob' Gibson. He is celebrated as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball.
Fact 19: The Discovery of Insulin
On October 19, 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best began experiments that led to the discovery of insulin, a development that revolutionized the treatment of diabetes.
Fact 20: The Establishment of the Metropolitan Opera House
The grand Metropolitan Opera House in New York was established on October 19, 1881. It hosts an array of opera performances and has over the years become an iconic cultural venue in the United States.