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
November 19 Thursday, November 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 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
8
Holidays
1944
WWII 82 years ago
World War II: Thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance defend the town of Vianden against a larger Waffen-SS attack in the Battle of Vianden.
Thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance defend the town of Vianden against a larger Waffen-SS force in a fierce battle during World War II.
History
What happened on November 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 461Roman history
Libius Severus is declared emperor of the Western Roman Empire. The real power is in the hands of the magister militum Ricimer.
Libius Severus is declared emperor of the Western Roman Empire, though actual power remains with magister militum Ricimer.
- 636War
The Rashidun Caliphate defeats the Sasanian Empire at the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah in Iraq.
The Rashidun Caliphate defeats the Sasanian Empire, marking a turning point in Islamic expansion.
- 1646Religion
The current Saint Peter's Basilica is consecrated in Rome, replacing an earlier basilica on the same site.
Pope Urban VIII consecrates the new St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, replacing the original structure on the Vatican Hill.
- 1794US history
The United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain sign Jay's Treaty, which attempts to resolve some of the lingering problems left over from the American Revolutionary War.
The United States and Great Britain sign Jay's Treaty, aiming to resolve post-Revolutionary War disputes.
- 1847Canadian history
The second Canadian railway line, the Montreal and Lachine Railroad, is opened.
The Montreal and Lachine Railroad opens, becoming Canada's second railway line.
- 1863US history
American Civil War: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at the dedication ceremony for the military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of a military cemetery in Pennsylvania.
- 1944WWII
World War II: Thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance defend the town of Vianden against a larger Waffen-SS attack in the Battle of Vianden.
Thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance defend the town of Vianden against a larger Waffen-SS force in a fierce battle during World War II.
- 1979US history
Iran hostage crisis: Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini orders the release of 13 female and black American hostages being held at the US Embassy in Tehran.
Ayatollah Khomeini orders the release of 13 female and black American hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran.
- 2001US history
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act is enacted by the 107th United States Congress in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Act created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act establishes the Transportation Security Administration, federalizing airport security screening in response to the September 11 attacks.
- 2013War
A double suicide bombing at the Iranian embassy in Beirut kills 23 people and injures 160 others.
A double suicide bombing at the Iranian embassy in Beirut kills 23 and injures 160.
- 2022Crime
A gunman kills five and injures 17 at Club Q, a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
A gunman kills five people and injures 17 others at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- 2023Sports
The 2023 Cricket World Cup final takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, played between host nation India and Australia.
India faces Australia in the Cricket World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 19
7 this date All birthdays
Rashad Khalifa
Egyptian-American biochemist and scholar
Rashad Khalifa, the Egyptian-American biochemist who founded United Submitters International and promoted a Quran-only interpretation of Islam, was born in 1935 and died in 1990.
Born
1935
Died
1990
Bunny Ahearne
Irish-English ice hockey player and manager
1900 – 1985
Eleanor Audley
American actress
1905 – 1991
Matt Sorum
American drummer, songwriter, and producer
b. 1960 · 66
Eric Musselman
American basketball player and coach
b. 1964 · 62
Gail Devers
American sprinter and hurdler
b. 1966 · 60
Tyga
American rapper
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on November 19
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 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 November 19, 2023
The 2023 Cricket World Cup final takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, played between host nation India and Australia.
India faces Australia in the Cricket World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Read the story
🔬 Science November 19, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Day of Discovery of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)
International
Puerto Rico celebrates all official U
Day of Missile Forces and Artillery (Russia, Belarus)
International
Day of Missile Forces and Artillery is a holiday celebrated in Russia and Belarus on 19 November
Flag Day (Brazil)
International
In Brazil, public holidays may be legislated at the federal, statewide and municipal levels
Garifuna Settlement Day (Belize)
International
Garifuna Settlement Day is a public holiday in Belize, celebrated each year on November 19
International Men's Day
International
International Men's Day (IMD) is a global awareness day for many issues that men face, including abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence, celebrated annually on 19 November
Liberation Day (Mali)
International
Liberation Day is a day, often a public holiday, that marks the liberation of a place, similar to an independence day, but differing from it because it does not involve the original creation of stateh