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
1847day.year
The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party.
Rescue teams reached the stranded members of the Donner Party, bringing hope to one of America’s most tragic frontier expeditions.
On February 19, 1847, the first relief parties reached the weakened survivors of the Donner Party in the Sierra Nevada. Trapped by heavy snowstorms weeks earlier, the emigrant wagon train had endured extreme hunger and hardship. The rescuers discovered survivors in dire condition and began evacuations to safety. Their arrival marked a turning point in the tragic saga of westward migration. The rescue effort eventually saved several dozen lives, though many had already perished. The Donner Party story remains a powerful cautionary tale of human endurance and the perils of pioneer travel.
1847
Donner Party
1884day.year
More than sixty tornadoes strike the Southern United States, one of the largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.
Over sixty tornadoes swept through the Southern United States, constituting one of the largest outbreaks in American history.
On February 19, 1884, a massive tornado outbreak struck multiple states across the American South. Meteorological conditions spawned over sixty confirmed tornadoes in a single day. Communities from Texas to Alabama experienced devastating wind damage and loss of life. The outbreak tested early warning systems and local emergency responses. Recorded fatalities and property destruction underscored the outbreak’s severity. This event remains one of the most extensive tornado outbreaks on record in the United States.
1884
sixty tornadoes
Southern United States
tornado
1985day.year
A Boeing 727 operating as Iberia Flight 610 crashes Mount Oiz in Spain, killing 148; it is the deadliest accident to occur in Iberia's history and the deadliest in Basque County to occur.
In 1985, Iberia Flight 610 crashed into Mount Oiz in Spain, killing all 148 people on board and becoming Iberia’s deadliest accident.
Iberia Flight 610, a Boeing 727, departed from Madrid bound for Bilbao on a foggy morning on February 19, 1985. The aircraft descended prematurely and struck Mount Oiz in the Basque region of Spain. All 148 passengers and crew lost their lives, making it the deadliest crash in the airline’s history and in Basque Country. Investigators cited possible instrumentation errors and navigational misguidance under poor weather conditions. The tragedy prompted airlines and regulators to review approach procedures and ground proximity warning systems. Memorials at the crash site honor those who perished in this accident.
Boeing 727
Iberia Flight 610
Mount Oiz
Iberia
Basque County
1988day.year
A Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner operating as AVAir Flight 3378 crashes in Cary, North Carolina, killing 12.
In 1988, AVAir Flight 3378, a Fairchild Metroliner, crashed near Cary, North Carolina, killing all 12 people on board.
AVAir Flight 3378 departed from Raleigh–Durham Airport on February 19, 1988, bound for Norfolk with 12 passengers and crew. Shortly after takeoff, the Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner encountered a mechanical issue that led to a loss of control. The aircraft crashed into a wooded area near Cary, North Carolina, killing everyone on board. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accident, focusing on maintenance records and flight data. Findings highlighted the importance of rigorous inspection of critical flight control components. The crash led to improved safety protocols for commuter airlines and aircraft operators.
1988
Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
AVAir Flight 3378
Cary, North Carolina
1989day.year
Flying Tiger Line flight 66 crashes into a hill near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Malaysia, killing four.
In 1989, Flying Tiger Line Flight 66 crashed near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Malaysia, resulting in four deaths.
Flying Tiger Line Flight 66 was a cargo flight arriving at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport near Kuala Lumpur on February 19, 1989. While in the landing pattern, the aircraft descended below the safe glide path and struck a hill. Four crew members aboard the aircraft were killed in the crash. The incident raised concerns about navigation aids and crew training under challenging weather conditions. Malaysian and American investigators collaborated to determine the causes and recommend safety improvements. The crash prompted enhancements to airport approach procedures and pilot briefing practices in the region.
1989
Flying Tiger Line flight 66
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Malaysia
2003day.year
An Ilyushin Il-76 military aircraft crashes near Kerman, Iran, killing 275.
In 2003, an Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane crashed near Kerman, Iran, killing all 275 people aboard.
The IL-76 was on a flight carrying military personnel and supplies when it encountered difficulties near Kerman on February 19, 2003. The aircraft crashed into rough terrain, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation accidents involving this type. Initial reports suggested poor weather and potential mechanical failures. Iranian authorities launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the tragedy. This crash underscored the risks faced by military transport flights in remote regions. It remains a somber event in Iranian aviation history.
2003
Ilyushin Il-76
crashes
Kerman
2006day.year
A methane explosion in a coal mine near Nueva Rosita, Mexico, kills 65 miners.
In 2006, a methane explosion in a coal mine near Nueva Rosita, Mexico, killed 65 miners.
On February 19, 2006, a sudden buildup of methane gas ignited in a coal mine near Nueva Rosita in northern Mexico. The explosion trapped and killed 65 miners working underground. Rescue teams faced hazardous conditions and unstable mine structures during recovery efforts. Investigators examined ventilation systems and safety protocols to understand how gas concentrations could reach critical levels. The disaster prompted calls for stricter enforcement of mine safety regulations. It highlighted the ongoing dangers of methane hazards in underground coal operations.
2006
methane
coal mine
Nueva Rosita
kills 65 miners