Summary of the Day ✨ 19 March (19/03)
Global financial markets stabilized as the Swiss government orchestrated UBS’s acquisition of Credit Suisse during the 2023 banking crisis, while Kazakhstan experienced a historic political transition as longtime leader Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned after nearly three decades in power. Meanwhile, tragedy struck as Flydubai Flight 981 crashed killing all 62 passengers, and separate attacks in Istanbul’s Taksim Square and across Iraq resulted in multiple casualties with over 300 people injured.
Historical Events 📜
- 2023: The Swiss Government brokers a deal for UBS to buy out rival Credit Suisse in an attempt to calm the 2023 banking crisis.
- 2019: The first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, resigns from office after nearly three decades, leaving Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as the acting President and successor.
- 2016: Flydubai Flight 981 crashes while attempting to land at Rostov-on-Don international airport, killing all 62 on board.
- 2016: An explosion occurs in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, killing five people and injuring 36.
- 2013: A series of bombings and shootings kills at least 98 people and injures 240 others across Iraq.
- 2011: Libyan Civil War: After the failure of Muammar Gaddafi’s forces to take Benghazi, the French Air Force launches Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya.
- 2008: GRB 080319B: A cosmic burst that is the farthest object visible to the naked eye is briefly observed.
- 2004: Catalina affair: A Swedish DC-3 shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 in 1952 over the Baltic Sea is finally recovered after years of work.
- 2004: March 19 Shooting Incident: The Republic of China (Taiwan) president Chen Shui-bian is shot just before the country’s presidential election on March 20.
- 2004: The Konginkangas bus disaster kills 23 and injures 14 people in Äänekoski, Finland.
- 2003: United States President George W. Bush addresses the nation, announcing the invasion of Iraq.
- 1998: An Ariana Afghan Airlines Boeing 727 crashes on approach to Kabul International Airport, killing all 45 on board.
- 1990: The ethnic clashes of Târgu Mureș begin four days after the anniversary of the Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire.
- 1989: The Egyptian flag is raised at Taba, marking the end of Israeli occupation since the Six Days War in 1967 and the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1979.
- 1982: Falklands War: Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, precipitating war with the United Kingdom.
Famous Births 👶
- 1999: Nico Collins, American football player
- 1998: Caylee Cowan, American actress
- 1998: Julian Love, American football player
- 1998: Sakura Miyawaki, Japanese singer
- 1996: Yung Gravy, American rapper
- 1996: Barbara Haas, Austrian tennis player
- 1996: Quenton Nelson, American football player
- 1995: Héctor Bellerín, Spanish footballer
- 1995: Julia Montes, Filipino actress
- 1993: Hakim Ziyech, Moroccan footballer
- 1991: Aleksandr Kokorin, Russian footballer
- 1990: EJ Manuel, American football player
- 1990: Anders Nilsson, Swedish ice hockey player
- 1988: Clayton Kershaw, American baseball player
- 1988: Ben Uzoh, Nigerian-American basketball player
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2026: Chuck Norris, American martial artist and actor (born 1940)
- 2021: Glynn Lunney, American engineer (born 1936)
- 2019: William Whitfield, British architect (born 1920)
- 2016: Roger Agnelli, Brazilian banker and businessman (born 1959)
- 2016: Jack Mansell, English footballer and manager (born 1927)
- 2015: Gus Douglass, American farmer and politician (born 1927)
- 2015: Safet Plakalo, Bosnian author and playwright (born 1950)
- 2015: Danny Schechter, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1942)
- 2014: Patrick Joseph McGovern, American businessman, founded IDG (born 1937)
- 2014: Fred Phelps, American lawyer, pastor, and activist, founded the Westboro Baptist Church (born 1929)
- 2014: Heather Robertson, Canadian journalist and author (born 1942)
- 2014: Robert S. Strauss, American diplomat, United States Ambassador to Russia (born 1918)
- 2014: Lawrence Walsh, Canadian-American lawyer, judge, and politician, 4th United States Deputy Attorney General (born 1912)
- 2014: Joseph F. Weis, Jr., American lawyer and judge (born 1923)
- 2012: Jim Case, American director and producer (born 1927)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Christian Observances:
Alkmund of Derby - Christian Observances:
Blessed Andrea Gallerani - Christian Observances:
Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20)
Saint Joseph’s Day (Roman Catholicism and Anglican Communion) related observances:
Falles, celebrated on the week leading to March 19 (Valencia) - Christian Observances:
Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20)
Saint Joseph’s Day (Roman Catholicism and Anglican Communion) related observances:
Father’s Day (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Honduras, and Bolivia) - Christian Observances:
Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20)
Saint Joseph’s Day (Roman Catholicism and Anglican Communion) related observances:
“Return of the Swallow”, annual observance of the swallows’ return to Mission San Juan Capistrano in California - Christian Observances:
Blessed Marcel Callo - Christian Observances:
Blessed Sibyllina Biscossi - Christian Observances:
March 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Christian Observances:
Earliest day on which Maundy Thursday can fall, while April 22 is the latest; celebrated on Thursday before Easter (Christianity) - Minna Canth’s Birthday and the Day of Equality (Finland)
- Kashubian Unity Day (Poland)