February 19

Events

197day.year

Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum, the bloodiest battle between Roman armies.

In 197, Emperor Septimius Severus decisively defeated the usurper Clodius Albinus at the Battle of Lugdunum, in the bloodiest clash between Roman armies.
In 197 AD, tensions between Emperor Septimius Severus and the usurper Clodius Albinus came to a head at Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon). Severus led his legions in one of the bloodiest confrontations recorded between Roman forces. The clash lasted for days and resulted in massive casualties on both sides. By the end of the battle, Albinus was killed, securing Severus's uncontested rule over the Roman Empire. This victory solidified Severus's reputation as a formidable military commander. It also marked a turning point that ushered in a period of relative stability for the empire under the Severan dynasty.
197 Septimius Severus usurper Clodius Albinus Battle of Lugdunum
356day.year

The anti-paganism policy of Constantius II forbids the worship of pagan idols in the Roman Empire.

In 356, Emperor Constantius II enacted an anti-paganism policy banning the worship of pagan idols across the Roman Empire.
In 356 AD, Emperor Constantius II intensified his campaign to unify the Roman Empire under Christianity. He issued an edict forbidding the public and private worship of traditional pagan idols and shrines. The decree led to the closure of many temples and the confiscation of sacred relics. This policy was part of a broader trend of religious reforms aimed at suppressing pagan practices. Although enforcement varied across provinces, the edict fundamentally shifted the empire towards Christian orthodoxy. The anti-pagan measures sparked debate and resistance among traditionalists, reshaping Rome's religious landscape.
356 anti-paganism policy of Constantius II
1594day.year

Having already been elected to the throne of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1587, Sigismund III of the House of Vasa is crowned King of Sweden, having succeeded his father John III of Sweden in 1592.

In 1594, Sigismund III of the House of Vasa was crowned King of Sweden, succeeding his father John III and uniting the crowns of Poland-Lithuania and Sweden.
Sigismund III, already King of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth since 1587, ascended the Swedish throne in 1594 after his father's death. His coronation in Uppsala marked a rare personal union between two major European powers. As a Catholic monarch in a predominantly Protestant Sweden, his reign faced religious tensions and political opposition. The union fueled rivalries with his uncle Duke Charles and contributed to the outbreak of civil conflict. Sigismund's dual monarchy ambitions ultimately faltered, leading to his deposition from the Swedish throne in 1599. Nonetheless, his rule left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Northern Europe.
1594 Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Sigismund III House of Vasa John III of Sweden
1600day.year

The Peruvian stratovolcano Huaynaputina explodes in the most violent eruption in the recorded history of South America.

In 1600, Peru's Huaynaputina volcano erupted in the most violent volcanic event recorded in South America.
On February 19, 1600, the Huaynaputina stratovolcano in present-day southern Peru unleashed a colossal eruption. The explosion ejected massive volumes of ash and pumice, blanketing nearby settlements and farmland. Contemporary chronicles describe darkness at midday and acid rain that devastated crops for years. Global climate patterns were affected, contributing to widespread famines in Europe and Asia. The disaster claimed thousands of lives and altered the region's geology and ecology. Huaynaputina's eruption remains a benchmark for volcanic intensity and its far-reaching climatic impacts.
1600 stratovolcano Huaynaputina
1649day.year

The Second Battle of Guararapes takes place, effectively ending Dutch colonization efforts in Brazil.

In 1649, the Second Battle of Guararapes was fought in Brazil, effectively ending Dutch colonial ambitions in the region.
On February 19, 1649, Portuguese and Brazilian forces clashed with the Dutch army at the Guararapes Hills near Recife. Dubbed the 'First Brazilian Army,' the local militia, including indigenous and Afro-Brazilian soldiers, secured a decisive victory. The defeat shattered Dutch morale and weakened their grip on Brazil's lucrative sugar plantations. Within months, the Dutch West India Company agreed to surrender its remaining territories. The battle is celebrated as a symbol of Brazilian unity and resistance against foreign conquest. It laid the foundation for Portugal's long-term dominion over Brazil until its independence.
1649 Second Battle of Guararapes
1674day.year

England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster, ending the Third Anglo-Dutch War. A provision of the agreement transfers the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam to England.

In 1674, England and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Westminster, ending the Third Anglo-Dutch War and transferring New Amsterdam to English control.
On February 19, 1674, the Treaty of Westminster formally concluded the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–1674). Negotiated in Westminster, London, the agreement restored peace and commerce between both naval powers. A key provision ceded control of New Amsterdam (modern-day New York) from the Dutch Republic to England. The transfer reshaped colonial dynamics in North America and expanded English influence. The treaty also addressed trade disputes and maritime rights, stabilizing European colonial competition. By ending hostilities, the peace paved the way for future diplomatic relations and colonial development.
1674 Treaty of Westminster Third Anglo-Dutch War New Amsterdam
1714day.year

Great Northern War: The battle of Napue between Sweden and Russia is fought in Isokyrö, Ostrobothnia.

In 1714, Swedish and Russian forces fought the Battle of Napue in Ostrobothnia during the Great Northern War.
On February 19, 1714, the Battle of Napue took place near Isokyrö in Ostrobothnia, Finland, as part of the Great Northern War. Swedish troops under General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt faced a larger Russian army commanded by General Mikhail Golitsyn. Despite fierce resistance, the outnumbered Swedes were overwhelmed by superior Russian forces. The defeat marked a turning point that exposed Sweden's declining military dominance in Northern Europe. Casualties were heavy on both sides, and the loss led to widespread devastation in Finnish territories. The battle's outcome contributed to the eventual victory of Russia under Tsar Peter the Great.
1714 Great Northern War battle of Napue Sweden Russia Isokyrö Ostrobothnia
1726day.year

The Supreme Privy Council is established in Russia.

In 1726, Russia established the Supreme Privy Council as a powerful advisory body to the monarch.
On February 19, 1726, Empress Catherine I of Russia created the Supreme Privy Council to strengthen central governance. Composed of high-ranking nobles and statesmen, the council advised on foreign policy, finance, and legal reforms. It wielded significant authority, effectively sharing power with the reigning monarch. The institution reflected the continued evolution of Russia's autocratic administration following Peter the Great's reforms. However, tensions between the council and future monarchs, notably Elizabeth and Peter III, led to its dissolution in 1730. The council's brief existence highlighted the complexities of power and governance in Imperial Russia.
1726 Supreme Privy Council
1807day.year

Former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr is arrested for treason in Wakefield, Alabama, and confined to Fort Stoddert.

In 1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr was arrested for treason in Alabama and confined to Fort Stoddert.
On February 19, 1807, Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States, was seized in Wakefield, Alabama, on charges of treason. Accused of plotting to create an independent nation in the western territories, he was held at Fort Stoddert. The arrest followed suspicions about Burr's dealings and correspondence with frontier governors. His trial in Richmond later drew national attention to constitutional definitions of treason. Although Burr was ultimately acquitted, the scandal ruined his political career and legacy. The events underscored early America's fears of secession and the limits of executive authority.
1807 Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr Wakefield, Alabama Fort Stoddert
1819day.year

British explorer William Smith discovers the South Shetland Islands.

In 1819, British explorer William Smith discovered the South Shetland Islands near Antarctica.
On February 19, 1819, Captain William Smith sighted and landed on the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula. His discovery opened new opportunities for seal hunting and Antarctic exploration. Smith's reports spurred further voyages by explorers such as Edward Bransfield and Nathaniel Palmer. The islands became a focal point for early 19th-century sealing operations, impacting local wildlife. Although harsh weather limited settlement, the discovery expanded geographic knowledge of the southern oceans. Today, the South Shetlands host several scientific research stations, honoring Smith's pioneering voyage.
1819 British William Smith South Shetland Islands
1836day.year

King William IV signs Letters Patent establishing the province of South Australia.

King William IV formally established the province of South Australia, initiating its free-settler governance model.
On February 19, 1836, King William IV signed Letters Patent creating the province of South Australia. This Act defined the colony’s borders, administrative framework, and land regulations. Unlike other Australian settlements, it was conceived as a freely populated province rather than a penal colony. The Letters Patent granted representative government powers under British sovereignty. It paved the way for the founding of Adelaide later that year. This milestone set South Australia on a unique path within the British Empire.
1836 William IV South Australia
1846day.year

In Austin, Texas, the newly formed Texas state government is officially installed. The Republic of Texas government officially transfers power to the State of Texas government following the annexation of Texas by the United States.

The State of Texas government was officially installed in Austin, marking the formal end of the Republic of Texas following U.S. annexation.
On February 19, 1846, in Austin, the newly formed government of the State of Texas held its inauguration ceremony. This event followed the annexation of Texas by the United States, transferring authority from the Republic of Texas. Key offices were sworn in under the framework of U.S. state governance. The transition symbolized Texas’s shift from independent republic to U.S. statehood. Citizens celebrated the legal and administrative realignment with the broader Union. This marked a defining moment in both Texan identity and American territorial expansion.
1846 Austin, Texas Republic of Texas State of Texas annexation