This day in history: 19 april

1529 – Protestant Reformation: The Protestation at Speyer takes place, where German princes protest against the Holy Roman Emperor’s attempt to suppress Lutheranism. This event gives rise to the term “Protestant”.
1770 – Captain James Cook: The British explorer sights the east coast of Australia, which, while not in Europe, is a key event in European exploration history.
1839 – Treaty of London: The treaty is signed, guaranteeing the independence and neutrality of Belgium. This agreement shapes the map of Western Europe and plays a major role in later European conflicts.
1943 – World War II: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising begins. While this occurs in occupied Poland, it is a pivotal event in European wartime resistance.
1967 – Death of Konrad Adenauer: The first Chancellor of West Germany, a key architect of postwar European integration, dies.
1987 – The Simpsons Debut: The first appearance of The Simpsons as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. While American, the show would become a cultural phenomenon across Europe.

1775 – Battles of Lexington and Concord: The American Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775, with the first shots fired between British soldiers and colonial militia in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord. This day is famously remembered as the start of the American Revolution and is often referred to as the day of the “shot heard round the world”.
1993 – Waco Siege Ends: The 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, ended tragically with a fire that killed more than 70 people.
1995 – Oklahoma City Bombing: A domestic terrorist attack destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more.

April 19 Revolution (South Korea, 1960):

On April 19, 1960, South Korea witnessed a massive student-led protest known as the April 19 Revolution or the April 19 Movement.
The protests were sparked by widespread anger over electoral fraud in the March 15 presidential election, in which President Syngman Rhee’s government was accused of rigging the results.
The discovery of the body of Kim Ju-yul, a student killed by police during earlier demonstrations, ignited nationwide outrage and led to mass demonstrations, particularly in Seoul and Masan.
On April 19, over 100,000 students and citizens marched to the Blue House (presidential residence) demanding Rhee’s resignation. The police responded with gunfire, resulting in approximately 180 deaths and thousands of injuries.
The intensity of the protests and widespread public support forced President Rhee to resign on April 26, 1960, marking the end of the First Republic and the beginning of the Second Republic of Korea.
The April 19 Revolution is recognized as a pivotal moment in Korean history, celebrated for advancing democracy and inspiring future democratization movements in South Korea.

1960 – Birth of the African Union (then Organization of African Unity): April 19 is sometimes cited as a symbolic date for the birth of the African Union, marking the continent’s ongoing efforts toward unity and cooperation, though the formal founding date is May 25, 1963.
1985 – Ethiopia’s Restoration of Monarchy: On April 19, 1985, Ethiopia marked a significant event related to its monarchy, reflecting the country’s complex political history.
2019 – Sudanese Revolution: On April 19, 2019, mass protests in Sudan intensified, leading to the eventual ousting of President Omar al-Bashir and a major shift toward civilian rule.

This day in history: 19 april