Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
August 19 Wednesday, August 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 19 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
6
Holidays
1782
War 244 years ago
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Blue Licks: The last major engagement of the war, almost ten months after the surrender of the British commander Charles Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown.
British and Native American forces defeat Kentucky militia in the Battle of Blue Licks, the last major engagement of the American Revolutionary War.
History
What happened on August 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -295Religion
The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, is dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges during the Third Samnite War.
Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges dedicates the first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
- -43World history
In the wake of the murder of Julius Caesar, his nephew and heir, Octavian, uses the threat of military force to compel the Roman Senate to elect him Consul.
Octavian becomes consul after threatening the Roman Senate with military force following Julius Caesar's murder.
- 947War
Abu Yazid, a Kharijite rebel leader, is defeated and killed in the Hodna Mountains in modern-day Algeria by Fatimid forces.
Abu Yazid, a Kharijite rebel leader, is killed by Fatimid forces in the Hodna Mountains.
- 1153War
After a six month siege, Baldwin III of Jerusalem captures Ascalon, obtaining a vast amount of plunder and securing the southern border of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Baldwin III of Jerusalem captures Ascalon after a six-month siege, securing the kingdom's southern border and acquiring vast plunder.
- 1458Religion
Pope Pius II is elected the 211th Pope.
Enea Silvio Piccolomini is elected as Pope Pius II, becoming the 211th leader of the Catholic Church.
- 1504European history
In Ireland, the Hiberno-Norman de Burghs (Burkes) and Cambro-Norman Fitzgeralds fight in the Battle of Knockdoe.
The de Burghs and Fitzgeralds clash in the Battle of Knockdoe, a significant conflict between Hiberno-Norman families.
- 1561Royalty
Mary, Queen of Scots, aged 18, returns to Scotland after spending 13 years in France.
Mary, Queen of Scots, returns to Scotland at age 18 after spending 13 years in France.
- 1604War
Eighty Years War: a besieging Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Orange forces the Spanish garrison of Sluis to capitulate.
The Dutch and English army, led by Maurice of Orange, captures the Spanish-held town of Sluis after a siege.
- 1692US history
Salem witch trials: In Salem, province of Massachusetts Bay, Martha Carrier, George Jacobs Sr., John Proctor, John Willard, and clergyman George Burroughs are executed after being convicted of witchcraft.
Five individuals, including a minister and a prominent community member, are executed in Salem for practicing witchcraft.
- 1725Culture
J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137, a cantata setting the unchanged text of Neander's hymn.
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the premiere performance of his cantata "Lobe den Herren," setting Johann Franck's hymn text.
- 1782War
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Blue Licks: The last major engagement of the war, almost ten months after the surrender of the British commander Charles Cornwallis following the Siege of Yorktown.
British and Native American forces defeat Kentucky militia in the Battle of Blue Licks, the last major engagement of the American Revolutionary War.
- 1862War
Dakota War: During an uprising in Minnesota, Lakota warriors decide not to attack heavily defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing white settlers along the way.
Lakota warriors spare heavily defended Fort Ridgely during the uprising in Minnesota, instead targeting the settlement of New Ulm and killing white settlers along the way.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 19
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 82
Eddy Raven
American country music singer-songwriter
Eddy Raven, American country music singer-songwriter known for six number-one hits including "I Got Mexico" and "Shine, Shine, Shine," turns 82 today.
Born
1944
Turns 82
today
Edward Boscawen
English admiral and politician
1711 – 1761
Tom Wills
Australian cricketer and pioneer of Australian rules football
1835 – 1880
Malcolm Forbes
American publisher and politician
1919 – 1990
Shiv Prasaad Singh
Indian Hindi writer
1928 – 1998
Peter Gallagher
American actor
b. 1955 · 71
Adam Arkin
American actor, director, and producer
b. 1956 · 70
Music
The number one songs on August 19
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 19, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport August 19, 1936
The Great Purge of the Soviet Union begins when the first of the Moscow Trials is convened.
The Great Purge commences with the first Moscow Trial, marking the start of widespread political repression in the Soviet Union.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 19, 1964
Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, is launched. Two months later, it would enable live coverage of the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Syncom 3, the first geostationary communications satellite, is launched, enabling live coverage of the 1964 Summer Olympics two months later.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Afghan Independence Day, commemorates the Treaty of Rawalpindi in 1919, granting independence from Britain (Afghanistan)
International
Afghanistan Independence Day is celebrated as a national holiday in Afghanistan on 19 August to commemorate the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 and the relinquishment from its de-jure British protected-st
August Revolution Commemoration Day (Vietnam)
International
Public holidays in Vietnam are days when workers get the day off work
Birthday of Crown Princess Mette-Marit (Norway)
International
Dates when the Norwegian state flag is flown by all branches of government and state agencies are listed in Article 4 of the regulations concerning the use of the state flag and the merchant flag, as
Manuel Luis Quezón Day (Quezon City and other places in the Philippines named after Manuel L. Quezon)
International
Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types: regular holidays and special non-working days
National Aviation Day (United States)
International
The National Aviation Day is a United States national observation that celebrates the development of aviation
World Humanitarian Day
International
World Humanitarian Day is an international day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have died working for humanitarian causes