Discover what happened on August 19 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

August 19

Discover what happened on August 19 with HISTORY&#8217;s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

What Happened on August 19 | History.com

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History

1909

Cicada Swarms Were Documented in the 18th Century by a Black Naturalist, Benjamin Banneker

1791

2011

1946

1812

1960

1919

1895

1964

1993

1991

1953

1934

Spies

Naval History

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian - the U.S. president - would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

U.S. Presidents

World War I pitted Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire against Great Britain, the United States, France, Russia, Italy and Japan. New military technology resulted in unprecedented carnage. By the time the war was over and the Allied Powers claimed victory, more than 16 million people—soldiers and civilians alike—were dead.

World War I

Auto Racing

Crime

Film

The years following the American Revolution were challenging for the new nation, which struggled with the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, Federalism, the Alien and Sedition Acts and more.

Early US

Crime has been a dark and powerful undercurrent in human society throughout history. Uncover the facts behind some of the most daring robberies, brazen scams and brutal murders ever committed.&nbsp;

The Beatles

In the War of 1812, caused by British restrictions on U.S. trade and America’s desire to expand its territory, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain.&nbsp;

War of 1812

Sports and recreation are an integral part of human history, from the ancient Olympics to the Kentucky Derby, Jackie Robinson, Negro League Baseball, the Super Bowl and more.

Sports

Art history tells the complex story of human civilization through art and design. It ranges from prehistoric art of the Neolithic period through Renaissance masterpieces, Impressionism, Modernism, the Bauhaus and contemporary art.

Art, Literature, and Film History

Middle East

<a href="http://history.com/">HISTORY.com</a> works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the <a href="http://history.com/">HISTORY.com</a> team. Articles with the “<a href="http://history.com/">HISTORY.com</a> Editors” byline have been written or edited by the <a href="http://history.com/">HISTORY.com</a> editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen.

History.com Editors

<a href="https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history">World War II</a> was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945.

World War II

Westward expansion, the 19th-century movement of settlers into the American West, began with the Louisiana Purchase and was fueled by the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail and a belief in "manifest destiny."

Westward Expansion

Cold War

The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union lasted for decades and resulted in anti-communist suspicions and international incidents that led the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear disaster.

This Day In History: August 19

First race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Also on This Day in History August | 19

Benjamin Banneker writes to Thomas Jefferson, urging justice for African Americans

“West Memphis Three” released from prison after 18 years

Bill Clinton is born

Old Ironsides earns its name

Captured U.S. spy pilot sentenced in Russia

President Wilson appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

John Wesley Hardin killed in Texas

The Beatles kick off first U.S. tour at San Francisco’s Cow Palace

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin marry

A Jewish youth is killed by a mob

CIA‑assisted coup overthrows government of Iran

Adolf Hitler becomes president of Germany

Also on This Day in History August | 19

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