August 19 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Historical Events

1994

Linus Torvalds released version 1.0 of the Linux kernel

What started as a hobby project by a Finnish student became one of the most important pieces of software in history. Linux now powers everything from...

1991

Soviet hardliners attempted a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev while he was on vacation in Crimea

Major

Communist Party conservatives placed Gorbachev under house arrest and declared a state of emergency. Boris Yeltsin dramatically stood on a tank in Mos...

1989

Over 700 East Germans crossed into Austria during the 'Pan-European Picnic' on the border

This mass border crossing was organized as a peaceful demonstration for European unity. Hungarian border guards looked the other way while families es...

1960

A Soviet spacecraft carrying two dogs successfully orbited Earth and returned them alive

Belka and Strelka became the first living creatures to orbit Earth and survive the journey. They shared their spacecraft with 40 mice, 2 rats, and var...

1960

Two Soviet dogs became the first living creatures to return safely from orbital spaceflight

Belka and Strelka orbited Earth 17 times aboard Sputnik 5 before landing safely. They were accompanied by 40 mice, 2 rats, and various plants, all of...

1960

An American U-2 spy plane pilot was sentenced to 10 years in a Soviet prison

Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Soviet airspace in May, and his trial captivated the world. The incident destroyed a planned peace summit and i...

1957

A comedy duo accidentally created the world's longest-running stage play during a single performance

Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap' opened in London's West End and is still running today. The play has been performed over 28,000 times and seen by mo...

1934

Adolf Hitler became Führer of Germany after merging the positions of Chancellor and President

Major

Following President Hindenburg's death, Hitler held a referendum that consolidated all executive power into a single office. Over 89% of Germans voted...

1871

Orville Wright was born in Dayton, Ohio

Major

Along with his brother Wilbur, Orville would achieve the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight in 1903. Interestingly, neither brot...

1848

News of the California Gold Rush reached the East Coast, triggering mass migration westward

Major

The New York Herald published an article confirming massive gold discoveries at Sutter's Mill. Within months, 'gold fever' gripped the nation, and by...

1839

The French government purchased the rights to the daguerreotype photography process and gave it as a gift to the world

Major

Louis Daguerre's revolutionary photographic process was made freely available to everyone except England, which had already secured a patent. This ann...

1812

The USS Constitution earned its nickname 'Old Ironsides' during a naval battle

During the War of 1812, the Constitution fought HMS Guerriere off Nova Scotia. British sailors reportedly saw cannonballs bouncing off the ship's thic...

1692

Five people were hanged during the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts

This execution included Martha Carrier, who had been called 'the Queen of Hell' by Cotton Mather. The hysteria had reached its peak, with accusations...