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
October 19 Monday, October 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 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
1596
World history 430 years ago
The Spanish ship San Felipe runs aground on the coast of Japan and its cargo is confiscated by local authorities.
The Spanish galleon San Felipe runs aground off Japan, and local authorities confiscate its valuable cargo.
History
What happened on October 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -202War
Second Punic War: At the Battle of Zama, Roman legions under Scipio Africanus defeat Hannibal Barca, leader of the army defending Carthage.[citation needed]
Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal Barca at the Battle of Zama, ending the Second Punic War.
- 439European history
The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, take Carthage in North Africa.
King Gaiseric leads the Vandals to capture Carthage, marking a significant moment in the decline of Roman power in North Africa.
- 1386European history
The Universität Heidelberg holds its first lecture, making it the oldest German university.
The Universität Heidelberg holds its first lecture, becoming the oldest university in Germany.
- 1453European history
Hundred Years' War: Three months after the Battle of Castillon, England loses its last possessions in southern France.
England loses its final territories in southern France three months after the Battle of Castillon.
- 1469Royalty
Ferdinand II of Aragon marries Isabella I of Castile, a marriage that paves the way to the unification of Aragon and Castile into a single country, Spain.
Ferdinand II of Aragon marries Isabella I of Castile, a union that will eventually unite their kingdoms and create modern Spain.
- 1579Royalty
James VI of Scotland is celebrated as an adult ruler by a festival in Edinburgh.
James VI of Scotland is honored with a grand festival in Edinburgh, marking his transition to adulthood.
- 1596World history
The Spanish ship San Felipe runs aground on the coast of Japan and its cargo is confiscated by local authorities.
The Spanish galleon San Felipe runs aground off Japan, and local authorities confiscate its valuable cargo.
- 1649UK history
New Ross town in Ireland surrenders to Oliver Cromwell.
New Ross surrenders to Oliver Cromwell's forces during his Irish campaign.
- 1662War
An English Buccaneer force led by Royal Navy commodore Christopher Myngs launches an attack on Santiago de Cuba which is subsequently sacked.
Christopher Myngs leads a British naval force in sacking Santiago de Cuba.
- 1781War
American Revolutionary War: The siege of Yorktown comes to an end.
British General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown to American and French forces under Washington and Rochambeau, effectively ending major combat in the Revolutionary War.
- 1789US history
John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.
John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.
- 1813War
War of the Sixth Coalition: Napoleon is forced to retreat from Germany after the Battle of Leipzig.
Napoleon's forces are compelled to withdraw from Germany following their defeat at the Battle of Leipzig.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 19
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 53
Hicham Arazi
Moroccan tennis player
Hicham Arazi, Moroccan tennis player known as "The Moroccan Magician" for his creative shot-making and entertaining style, who reached world No. 22 and won one ATP Tour singles title, turns 52 today.
Born
1973
Turns 53
today
LaWanda Page
American actress
1920 – 2002
James Howard Kunstler
American author and critic
b. 1948 · 78
Ayuo Takahashi
Japanese-American singer-songwriter
b. 1960 · 66
Sunny Deol
Indian actor and producer
b. 1961 · 65
Evander Holyfield
American boxer and actor
b. 1962 · 64
Thundercat
American singer and record producer
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on October 19
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 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 October 19, 1936
New York World-Telegram reporter Herbert Ekins won a race against two other New York newspaper journalists to travel around the world on commercial airline flights. He accomplished the feat in 18 ½ days. His opponents were New York Evening Journal reporter Dorothy Kilgallen, who finished in second place, and New York Times reporter Leo Kieran.
Herbert Ekins of the New York World-Telegram wins a round-the-world race on commercial flights in 18½ days, ahead of competitors Dorothy Kilgallen and Leo Kieran.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 19, 1943
Streptomycin, the first antibiotic remedy for tuberculosis, is isolated by researchers at Rutgers University.
Researchers at Rutgers University isolate streptomycin, the first antibiotic effective against tuberculosis.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Constitution Day, in honor of the country's independence (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) in 1974. (Niue)
International
The Schedules of the Niue Constitution Act 1974 form the Constitution of Niue
Oxfordshire Day
International
Oxfordshire Day is celebrated on 19 October to promote the historic English county of Oxfordshire