Summary of the Day ✨ 19 May (19/05)
A tragic day unfolded as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash while EgyptAir Flight 804 crashed into the Mediterranean, while the world celebrated Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding watched by billions, and Italy dealt with a bombing in Brindisi as California battled a major oil spill.
Historical Events 📜
- 2024: A helicopter crash in Iran leaves 8 people dead, including the country’s president Ebrahim Raisi & foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
- 2018: The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, with an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion.
- 2016: EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Paris to Cairo, killing all on board.
- 2015: The Refugio oil spill deposited 142,800 U.S. gallons (3,400 barrels) of crude oil onto an area in California considered one of the most biologically diverse coastlines of the west coast.
- 2012: Three gas cylinder bombs explode in front of a vocational school in the Italian city of Brindisi, killing one person and injuring five others.
- 2012: A car bomb explodes near a military complex in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, killing nine people.
- 2010: The Royal Thai Armed Forces concludes its crackdown on protests by forcing the surrender of United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship leaders.
- 2007: President of Romania Traian Băsescu survives an impeachment referendum and returns to office from suspension.
- 2007: A mass shooting starts in Moscow, Idaho, which would leave 3 non-shooters dead and 3 more injured, before the shooter committed suicide the next day.
- 2000: Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-101 to resupply the International Space Station.
- 1997: The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts.
- 1996: Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on mission STS-77.
- 1993: SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, killing 132.
- 1991: Croatians vote for independence in a referendum.
- 1986: The Firearm Owners Protection Act is signed into law by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Famous Births 👶
- 2003: Jojo Siwa, American dancer, singer, actress, and YouTube personality
- 2002: Riccardo Calafiori, Italian footballer
- 2002: Rafa Marín, Spanish footballer
- 2001: Elizabeth Mandlik, American tennis player
- 1996: Michael Carcone, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1995: Taane Milne, New Zealand rugby league player
- 1994: Carlos Guzmán, Mexican footballer
- 1992: Michele Camporese, Italian footballer
- 1992: Ola John, Dutch footballer
- 1992: Felise Kaufusi, New Zealand-Tongan rugby league player
- 1992: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Russian ice hockey player
- 1992: Marshmello, American electronic music producer and DJ
- 1992: Sam Smith, English singer-songwriter
- 1992: Heather Watson, British tennis player
- 1992: Lainey Wilson, American singer-songwriter
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2024: Christian Malanga, Congolese politician, businessman and military officer (born 1983)
- 2024: Victims in the 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash:
- 2024: Victims in the 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash:
- 2023: Andy Rourke, English bassist (born 1964)
- 2021: Paul Mooney, American comedian (born 1941)
- 2018: Zhengzhang Shangfang, Chinese linguist (born 1933)
- 2017: Nawshirwan Mustafa, General coordinator of the Movement for Change (Gorran) (born 1944)
- 2017: Stanislav Petrov, Lt. Colonel in Soviet Air Defence Forces (born 1939)
- 2016: Alan Young, English-born Canadian-American actor (born 1919)
- 2016: Morley Safer, Canadian-born American journalist (born 1931)
- 2015: Bruce Lundvall, American businessman (born 1935)
- 2015: Ted McWhinney, Australian-Canadian lawyer and politician (born 1924)
- 2015: Happy Rockefeller, American philanthropist, socialite; 31st Second Lady of the United States (born 1926)
- 2015: Robert S. Wistrich, English historian, author, and academic (born 1945)
- 2014: Simon Andrews, English motorcycle racer (born 1982)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Christian feast day:
Calocerus (Eastern Orthodox Church) - Christian feast day:
Crispin of Viterbo - Christian feast day:
Dunstan (Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church; commemoration, Anglicanism) - Christian feast day:
Ivo of Kermartin - Christian feast day:
Joaquina Vedruna de Mas - Christian feast day:
Maria Bernarda Bütler - Christian feast day:
Peter Celestine - Christian feast day:
Pudentiana (Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church) - Christian feast day:
May 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day (Greece)
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkey, Northern Cyprus)
- Remembrance Day (Sri Lanka)
- Hồ Chí Minh’s Birthday (Vietnam)
- Malcolm X Day (United States of America)
- National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States)