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
December 19 Saturday, December 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 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
2
Holidays
1828
US history 198 years ago
Vice President of the United States John C. Calhoun sparks the Nullification Crisis when he anonymously publishes the South Carolina Exposition and Protest, protesting the Tariff of 1828.
Vice President John C. Calhoun anonymously publishes the South Carolina Exposition and Protest, arguing states can nullify federal laws and igniting the Nullification Crisis.
History
What happened on December 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 653Religion
Pope Martin I, having been abducted by Byzantine authorities from Rome for his opposition to Monothelitism, is tried in Constantinople.
Pope Martin I is tried in Constantinople after being abducted by Byzantine authorities for opposing Monothelitism.
- 1154UK history
Henry II of England is crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Henry II is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.
- 1187Religion
Pope Clement III is elected.
Pope Clement III is elected pope, succeeding Alexander III.
- 1490European history
Anne, Duchess of Brittany, is married to Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor by proxy.
Anne, Duchess of Brittany, marries Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, in a proxy ceremony.
- 1562European history
The Battle of Dreux takes place during the French Wars of Religion.
Catholics and Protestants clash in the Battle of Dreux, marking one of the earliest major battles of the French Wars of Religion.
- 1675US history
The Great Swamp Fight, a pivotal battle in King Philip's War, gives the English settlers a bitterly won victory.
English settlers defeat Native American forces in the Great Swamp Fight, securing a costly but crucial victory in King Philip's War.
- 1688UK history
Glorious Revolution: Williamite forces defeat Jacobites at Battle of Reading, forcing James II to flee England.
Williamite forces defeat Jacobites at the Battle of Reading, compelling James II to leave England.
- 1777US history
American Revolutionary War: George Washington's Continental Army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
George Washington's Continental Army establishes winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, beginning a harsh encampment that would test and ultimately strengthen the revolutionary forces.
- 1796War
French Revolutionary Wars: Two British frigates under Commodore Horatio Nelson and two Spanish frigates under Commodore Don Jacobo Stuart engage in battle off the coast of Murcia.
Commodore Horatio Nelson leads British frigates in a naval battle against Spanish ships off the coast of Murcia.
- 1828US history
Vice President of the United States John C. Calhoun sparks the Nullification Crisis when he anonymously publishes the South Carolina Exposition and Protest, protesting the Tariff of 1828.
Vice President John C. Calhoun anonymously publishes the South Carolina Exposition and Protest, arguing states can nullify federal laws and igniting the Nullification Crisis.
- 1977World history
The Ms 5.8 Bob-Tangol earthquake strikes Kerman Province in Iran, destroying villages and killing 665 people.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake devastates Kerman Province in Iran, destroying villages and claiming 665 lives.
- 2016Disaster
A vehicular attack in Berlin, Germany, kills 12 and injures 56 people at a Christmas market.
A truck plows into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring 56.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 19
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 28
King Princess
American singer-songwriter and musician
King Princess, the Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who gained recognition with her debut single "1950," turns 28 today.
Born
1998
Turns 28
today
George Frederick Bristow
American violinist and composer
1825 – 1898
Ralph Richardson
English actor
1902 – 1983
Doug Harvey
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
1924 – 1989
Charles Austin
American high jumper
b. 1967 · 59
Mo Williams
American basketball player
b. 1982 · 44
Karim Benzema
French footballer
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on December 19
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 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 December 19, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 19, 2013
Spacecraft Gaia is launched by the European Space Agency.
The European Space Agency launches Gaia, a spacecraft designed to create the most precise three-dimensional map of our galaxy.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Goa Liberation Day (Goa, India)
International
Goa, Daman and Diu Liberation Day is observed annually on 19 December in Goa, India
National Heroes and Heroines Day (Anguilla)
International
Holidays in Anguilla are predominantly religious holidays, with a number of additional national holidays