Europa
- 461: Libius Severus was declared Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, marking a notable moment during the decline of Roman authority in Western Europe.
- 1404: Severe flooding struck the Netherlands, washing away 3,000 hectares of land and destroying the towns of Ijzendijke and Hugevliet.
- 1421: Another catastrophic flood in the Netherlands killed between 2,000 and 10,000 people, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to water disasters.
- 1885: The Battle of Slivnitsa concluded with a Bulgarian victory in the Serbo-Bulgarian War, solidifying the unification between the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia—an important step in the formation of modern Bulgaria.
- 1912: During the First Balkan War, the Serbian Army captured Bitola, ending five centuries of Ottoman rule in Macedonia, a pivotal moment for Balkan national movements.
- 1916: On the Eastern Front of World War I, Romanian forces retreated in the Jiu Valley as German troops advanced, while on the Southern Front, French and Serbian troops captured Monastir (now Bitola, North Macedonia), pushing German and Bulgarian forces back toward Prilep.
- 1918: In the aftermath of World War I, an Italian royal decree abolished the criminalization of acts of defeatism, and the Belgian newspaper L’Avenir was founded. This period also saw major political upheaval across Europe, including the establishment of new states and revolutions in the wake of the war’s end.
- 1942: In World War II, Soviet forces launched Operation Uranus at Stalingrad, marking a decisive counterattack that shifted the momentum on the Eastern Front in favor of the USSR. On the same day, the Nazis liquidated the Janowska concentration camp in Lviv (then Lemberg), Ukraine, murdering at least 6,000 Jews after a failed uprising and escape attempt.
America
- Gettysburg Address (1863)
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This brief but powerful speech, just 272 words long, emphasized the Civil War’s purpose of preserving the Union and promoting equality and freedom. It remains one of the most influential speeches in American history. - Jay Treaty Signed (1794)
The United States and Great Britain signed the Jay Treaty, formally known as the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation. Negotiated by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay, the treaty aimed to resolve lingering issues from the Revolutionary War and avoid further conflict with Britain. - First National Thanksgiving (1789)
The first national Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in the United States, as proclaimed by President George Washington, marking a significant step in establishing the holiday tradition. - Senate Rejects Treaty of Versailles (1919)
The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I. The rejection prevented the United States from joining the League of Nations. - Impeachment Inquiry of President Bill Clinton (1998)
The U.S. House of Representatives began an impeachment inquiry against President Bill Clinton, only the third such inquiry in U.S. history. - Apollo 12 Moon Landing (1969)
Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean made the second crewed landing on the moon, furthering American achievements in space exploration. - Aviation and Transportation Security Act Signed (2001)
President George W. Bush signed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, creating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and fundamentally changing airport and transportation security in the United States following the September 11 attacks. - Discovery of Puerto Rico (1493)
Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the Americas, an event that would have a lasting impact on the Caribbean and the Americas.
Asia
- China: Shenzhou 1 Launch (1999)
On November 19, 1999, China launched its first Shenzhou spacecraft, marking a major milestone in its space exploration program. The uncrewed mission demonstrated China’s growing technological capabilities and laid the foundation for future human spaceflight missions. - South and Southeast Asia: Historical Context
While no major pan-Asian political events are recorded specifically for November 19, the day is significant in the context of ongoing 20th-century developments such as the aftermath of the 1911 Revolution in China, which led to the end of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. - 1977: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Israel, while not in Asia proper, had a profound impact on Middle Eastern and Asian geopolitics.
- 1969: The first news reports of the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam emerged, bringing international attention to atrocities committed during the Vietnam War.
Africa
- Anwar Sadat’s Historic Visit to Israel (1977)
On November 19, 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel, delivering a speech to the Israeli Knesset (parliament). This unprecedented move marked a major step toward peace between Egypt and Israel, eventually leading to the Camp David Accords and the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. Sadat’s visit was both groundbreaking and controversial, drawing criticism from many in the Arab world but earning him and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. - Mutesa II Crowned Kabaka of Buganda (1942)
On this day in 1942, Mutesa II was crowned as the 35th and last Kabaka (king) of Buganda, a significant cultural and political event in Uganda’s history. His reign lasted until the abolition of the kingdom in 1966, though the monarchy was later restored in 1993. - Stepin Fetchit Passes Away (1985)
Although not an African event per se, it is notable in African diaspora history: Stepin Fetchit (Lincoln Perry), the first major Black movie star in Hollywood, died on November 19, 1985. His career was controversial due to the stereotypical roles he played, but he broke significant ground for Black actors in the entertainment industry.
This day in history: 19 november