What Happened on July 19?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON JULY 19

Explore the most important historical events that happened on July 19, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Taiping Rebellion

Year: 1864

Taiping Rebellion: Third Battle of Nanking: The Qing dynasty finally defeats the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Franco-Prussian War

Year: 1870

Franco-Prussian War: France declares war on Prussia.

American Civil War

Year: 1863

American Civil War: Morgan's Raid: At Buffington Island in Ohio, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's raid into the north is mostly thwarted when a large group of his men are captured while trying to escape across the Ohio River.

Women's rights

Year: 1848

Women's rights: A two-day Women's Rights Convention opens in Seneca Falls, New York.

Great New York City Fire of 1845

Year: 1845

Great New York City Fire of 1845: The last great fire to affect Manhattan begins early in the morning and is subdued that afternoon. The fire kills four firefighters and 26 civilians and destroys 345 buildings.

Paris Métro Line 1

Year: 1900

The first line of the Paris Métro opens for operation.

Maurice Garin

Year: 1903

Maurice Garin wins the first Tour de France.

Intelligence Corps (United Kingdom)

Year: 1940

World War II: Army order 112 forms the Intelligence Corps of the British Army.

BIRTHS ON JULY 19

Discover famous people and historical figures born on July 19, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Alex Hannum

Year of birth: 1923

Alex Hannum, American basketball player and coach (died 2002)

Pat Hingle

Year of birth: 1924

Pat Hingle, American actor and producer (died 2009)

Joseph Hansen (writer)

Year of birth: 1923

Joseph Hansen, American author and poet (died 2004)

William A. Rusher

Year of birth: 1923

William A. Rusher, American lawyer and journalist (died 2011)

Lon Simmons

Year of birth: 1923

Lon Simmons, American baseball player and sportscaster (died 2015)

Stanley K. Hathaway

Year of birth: 1924

Stanley K. Hathaway, American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 40th United States Secretary of the Interior (died 2005)

Sue Thompson

Year of birth: 1925

Sue Thompson, American singer (died 2021)

Szilárd Keresztes

Year of birth: 1932

Szilárd Keresztes, Hungarian Greek Catholic bishop (died 2025)

DEATHS ON JULY 19

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on July 19, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Lefty Frizzell

Year of death: 1975

Lefty Frizzell, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1928)

John Alan Coey

Year of death: 1975

John Alan Coey, American mercenary and medic in the Rhodesian Bush War

Hans Morgenthau

Year of death: 1980

Hans Morgenthau, German-American political scientist, philosopher, and academic (born 1904)

Nihat Erim

Year of death: 1980

Nihat Erim, Turkish jurist and politician, 13th Prime Minister of Turkey (born 1912)

Margaret Craven (writer)

Year of death: 1980

Margaret Craven, American journalist and author (born 1901)

Stratis Myrivilis

Year of death: 1969

Stratis Myrivilis, Greek soldier and author (born 1890)

John McNaughton (government official)

Year of death: 1967

John T. McNaughton, United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and an advisor to Robert McNamara (born 1921)

Lyuh Woon-hyung

Year of death: 1947

Lyuh Woon-hyung, South Korean politician (born 1886)

HOLIDAYS ON JULY 19

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on July 19 around the world.

July 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: July 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Pope Symmachus

Christian feast day: Symmachus

Macrina the Younger

Christian feast day: Macrina the Younger, Sister of St. Basil the Great

Bernold

Christian feast day: Bernold, Bishop of Utrecht

Justa and Rufina

Christian feast day: Justa and Rufina

Public holidays in Nicaragua

Sandinista Day or Liberation Day (Nicaragua)

Martyrs' Day (Myanmar)

July 19

Palace Day

July