19 February

February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 315 days remain until the end of the year. 

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about February 19th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about February 19th in history!

Table of Contents

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

  • International Tug-of-War Day
  • National Chocolate Mint Day
  • World Pangolin Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – February 19

2008: Fidel Castro steps down as Cuba’s president

Castro was 81 years old at the time and had been in power for 49 years.

1986: The “Mir” Space Station is launched

The Soviet vehicle was the world’s first modular space station and remained in orbit for 15 years.

1985: Iberia Airlines Flight 610 crashes

All 148 people on board died in the accident that was blamed on pilot error.

1945: U.S. troops land on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima

The photo showing 4 marines erecting a U.S. flag on the island has become one of the best-known images of World War II.

1878: Thomas Edison patents the phonograph

It was the first machine able to reproduce recorded sound.

1821: Michael Faraday invented the first electric motor in 1821. One of the greatest scientists of the 19th century


The 4th-century CE 99.7% pure Iron pillar in Delhi reflecting the metal-related shilpa in ancient India. Weight: 6,000 KG. Built by King Chandragupta II

The 4th-century CE 99.7% pure Iron pillar in Delhi reflecting the metal-related shilpa in ancient India. Weight: 6,000 KG. Built by King Chandragupta II
The 4th-century CE 99.7% pure Iron pillar in Delhi reflects the metal-related shilpa in ancient India. Weight: 6,000 KG. Built by King Chandragupta II

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, February 19

1963: Seal, English singer-songwriter

1957: Falco, Austrian singer-songwriter

1953: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Argentinian politician, 55th President of Argentina

1865: Sven Hedin, Swedish geographer, explorer

1473: Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish mathematician, astronomer

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, February 19

2001: Stanley Kramer, American director

2000: Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Austrian/New Zealand painter, architect, designed the Kuchlbauer Tower, Waldspirale

1997: Deng Xiaoping, Chinese politician, diplomat

1952: Knut Hamsun, Norwegian writer, Nobel Prize laureate

1916: Ernst Mach, Austrian physicist

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *