August 19: What Happened on This Day in History
August 19th marks the 231st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 232nd in case of leap years). There are 134 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 19th in history, famous birthdays on August 19th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 19.
What happened on August 19?
Here's what happened on August 19th in history:
- 2013: On August 19, 2013, devastating floods struck several regions in China, leading to significant property damage and displacement of residents. The floods were attributed to heavy rainfall and prompted emergency responses from local authorities. source: bbc.com
- 2008: On August 19, 2008, the conflict in South Ossetia escalated as Russian forces continued military operations against Georgian troops. This war was marked by significant territorial disputes and international tensions, leading to a brief but intense conflict. source: bbc.com
- 2006: On August 19, 2006, Israeli commandos conducted a raid deep inside Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, targeting a Hezbollah base in the village of Bodei. The operation aimed to disrupt arms shipments to Hezbollah from Syria and Iran. The raid resulted in the death of one Israeli officer and two others being wounded. Lebanese officials condemned the operation as a violation of the ceasefire established by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which had been in effect since August 14, 2006. source: aljazeera.com
- 1994: Linus Pauling, an American chemist and two-time Nobel laureate, died on August 19, 1994, in Big Sur, California. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.
- 1990: On August 19, 1990, Leonard Bernstein conducted his final performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. The program featured Benjamin Britten's "Four Sea Interludes" from "Peter Grimes" and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. During the third movement of the Beethoven symphony, Bernstein experienced a coughing fit but continued conducting until the conclusion. The concert was later released on CD as "Leonard Bernstein – The Final Concert" by Deutsche Grammophon. source: leonardbernstein.com
- 1987: On August 19, 1987, Michael Ryan, a 27-year-old from Hungerford, England, embarked on a shooting spree that resulted in 16 fatalities, including his mother, and 15 injuries. Armed with a Beretta pistol, M1 carbine, and Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, Ryan's rampage began in Savernake Forest and continued through Hungerford, culminating in his suicide after a police siege. The incident led to significant changes in UK firearm legislation. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1986: On August 19, 1986, a car bomb exploded in Tehran's Ferdowsi Square during the morning rush hour, killing at least 20 people and injuring scores of others. The blast damaged a bus, four cars, and seven motorcycles, and shattered windows in nearby buildings. The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that 50 pounds of TNT had been planted in the car, a French-made Jiyan. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the news agency blamed 'agents of international imperialism,' referring to anti-government underground groups such as the Mujahedeen. The Mujahedeen, in turn, accused the Iranian government of staging the bombing to tarnish the image of the Iranian people's resistance. source: latimes.com
- 1983: Billy Cannon, former LSU football star and Heisman Trophy winner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possession of counterfeit $100 bills in 1983. He was sentenced to five years in federal prison and fined $10,000. Cannon served nearly three years before being released on good behavior. source: latimes.com
- 1978: On August 19, 1978, the Cinema Rex in Abadan, Iran, was set ablaze, resulting in the deaths of at least 377 people. Four individuals, motivated by Islamic extremism, doused the building with airplane fuel and set it on fire, blocking the exits to prevent escape. This tragic event significantly contributed to the unrest leading up to the Iranian Revolution of 1979. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1977: Groucho Marx, the renowned American comedian and actor, died of pneumonia at the age of 86 in Los Angeles, California. He was best known for his work with the Marx Brothers and as the host of the television game show "You Bet Your Life." source: biography.com
What famous birthdays are on August 19?
On August 19th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Bill Clinton]()
Bill Clinton (1946)Bill Clinton is an American politician and attorney who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Prior to his presidency, he was the governor of Arkansas and is a prominent figure in the Democratic Party. [bio]
![Matthew Perry]()
Matthew Perry (1969)Matthew Perry was a Canadian-American actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hugely popular sitcom 'Friends'. He became a beloved comedy star with his witty performances and also appeared in several films and other television series. Perry's career was marked by both critical and commercial success, as well as widely publicized personal struggles, especially with substance … [bio]
![Satya Nadella]()
Satya Nadella (1967)Satya Nadella is an Indian-American technology executive best known as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft. Since taking over as CEO in 2014, Nadella has led Microsoft's transformation with a focus on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital strategy, helping to significantly grow the company's market value and global relevance. [bio]
![Kyra Sedgwick]()
Kyra Sedgwick (1965)Kyra Sedgwick is an American actress, producer, and director best known for her starring role as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson on the TNT crime drama series 'The Closer.' Her work on the show earned her both a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. [bio]
![Fat Joe]()
![Simon Bird]()
Simon Bird (1984)Simon Bird is an English actor, comedian, director, and producer, best known for his role as Will McKenzie in the sitcom 'The Inbetweeners.' He has also starred in 'Friday Night Dinner' and has been active in comedy and television since the mid-2000s. [bio]
![John Stamos]()
John Stamos (1963)John Stamos is an American actor, producer, musician, and singer best known for his role as Jesse Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom 'Full House' and its sequel 'Fuller House.' He has also appeared in numerous other TV series, including 'ER' and 'General Hospital.' [bio]
![Jill St. John]()
Jill St. John (1940)Jill St. John is an American actress best known for her role as Tiffany Case in the James Bond film 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971). She enjoyed a long career in film and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s and is recognized for her beauty, charm, and on-screen presence. [bio]
![Frank McCourt]()
Frank McCourt (1930)Frank McCourt was an Irish-American teacher and writer, best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir 'Angela's Ashes', which recounted his impoverished childhood in Limerick, Ireland. [bio]
![Peter Gallagher]()
Peter Gallagher (1955)Peter Gallagher is an American actor, musician, and writer best known for his work in film, television, and theater. He is widely recognized for his roles in "The O.C.," "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," and "American Beauty." [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
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Who died on August 19?
On August 19th the following celebrities died:
![Groucho Marx]()
Groucho Marx (1977)Groucho Marx was an American comedian, writer, stage, film, radio, and television star, best known as a master of quick wit and as a member of the Marx Brothers comedy team. [bio]
![Jessie Matthews]()
Jessie Matthews (1981)Jessie Matthews was a renowned English actress, dancer, and singer, celebrated for her performances in musical films and stage productions during the 1920s and 1930s. She became one of Britain's most beloved entertainers, famed for her charisma, dancing talent, and melodic voice. [bio]
![Alastair Sim]()
Alastair Sim (1976)Alastair Sim was a famed Scottish actor known for his distinctive voice and expressive performances. He is best remembered for his roles in classic British cinema, particularly as Ebenezer Scrooge in the widely acclaimed 1951 adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol.' [bio]
![Hermione Baddeley]()
Hermione Baddeley (1986)Hermione Baddeley was an English character actress of stage and screen, known for her distinctive voice and often memorable supporting roles in both British and American films and television. She earned acclaim for her work in the mid-20th century, particularly for comedic or working-class characters. [bio]
![Utpal Dutt]()
Utpal Dutt (1993)Utpal Dutt was an influential Indian actor, director, and writer, widely recognized for his work in Bengali theatre and Hindi cinema. He was known for his versatility in both serious and comic roles and left a significant mark on Indian performing arts. [bio]
![Linus Pauling]()
Linus Pauling (1994)Linus Pauling was a highly influential American chemist, biochemist, and peace activist. He remains one of the most important scientists of the 20th century, recognized for his groundbreaking work in chemical bonding and molecular biology. Pauling is distinguished as one of the only individuals to ever receive two unshared Nobel Prizes: the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) for his research … [bio]
![James Foley]()
James Foley (2014)American journalist who was tragically kidnapped and executed by ISIS in Syria, becoming a symbol of the brutal conflict and press freedom...
![Don Hewitt]()
Don Hewitt (2009)Don Hewitt was a pioneering American television producer best known for creating the groundbreaking news magazine '60 Minutes', which...
![Sonny Chiba]()
Sonny Chiba (2021)Legendary Japanese actor and martial artist famous for his iconic roles in martial arts films, particularly the 'Street Fighter' series.
What day of the year is August 19?
August 19th marks the 231st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 232nd in case of leap years).
There are 134 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 19th is the 19th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 19?
On August 19th, 2026 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| August | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 19?
The zodiac sign associated with August 19th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
