484day.year
Leontius, Roman usurper, is crowned Eastern emperor at Tarsus (modern Turkey). He is recognized in Antioch and makes it his capital.
In 484, Leontius, a Roman usurper, proclaimed himself Eastern Roman Emperor at Tarsus and was recognized by Antioch.
Following political turmoil in the Eastern Roman Empire, Leontius seized power in 484 by having himself crowned emperor in Tarsus.
He garnered support from military factions and was acknowledged in Antioch, making it his capital.
His reign challenged the authority of Emperor Zeno and highlighted the instability of imperial succession.
Leontius' brief tenure underscored the role of regional loyalties and military backing in late Roman politics.
Ultimately, his usurpation ended in defeat, but it exemplifies the fragmented power struggles of the era.
484
Leontius
usurper
Tarsus
Turkey
Antioch
1553day.year
The attempt to install Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England collapses after only nine days.
In 1553, Lady Jane Grey's nine-day reign as Queen of England collapsed, ending a brief bid for the throne.
Following King Edward VI's death, power-hungry nobles proclaimed Lady Jane Grey queen in a bid to prevent Mary Tudor's accession.
Known as the 'Nine Days' Queen,' Jane faced overwhelming support for Mary's rightful claim.
Public opinion and key aristocratic defections swiftly undermined her position.
Imprisoned in the Tower of London, Jane was deposed and later executed under Mary I's orders.
Her tragic story highlights Tudor dynastic struggles and the precarious nature of royal succession.
1553
Lady Jane Grey
Queen of England
1701day.year
Representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy sign the Nanfan Treaty, ceding a large territory north of the Ohio River to England.
Through the Nanfan Treaty, the Iroquois Confederacy ceded extensive lands north of the Ohio River to England.
In 1701 representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy and agents of England convened to negotiate what became the Nanfan Treaty.
Under the agreement, the Iroquois ceded rights to a large expanse of territory north of the Ohio River to the English Crown.
The treaty aimed to secure alliances and formalize claims amid ongoing colonial expansion in North America.
Although intended to strengthen peace and trade, the treaty's boundaries proved contentious among other indigenous nations and settlers.
The Nanfan Treaty marked a pivotal moment in early colonial diplomacy, shaping future negotiations and land claims in the region.
1701
Iroquois Confederacy
Nanfan Treaty
Ohio River
England
1821day.year
Coronation of George IV of the United Kingdom.
George IV is crowned King of the United Kingdom in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
On July 19, 1821, George IV ascended the British throne following the death of his father, George III.
The coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey showcased lavish pageantry, reflecting the monarch's extravagant tastes.
Thousands lined the streets of London to witness the procession and celebration of the new king.
Controversy surrounded the event due to George IV's strained marriage and personal reputation.
The ceremony marked the beginning of George IV's reign and set the tone for the Regency era's cultural splendor.
1821
George IV of the United Kingdom
1947day.year
Prime Minister of the shadow Burmese government, Bogyoke Aung San and eight others are assassinated.
On July 19, 1947, Burmese independence leader Aung San and eight colleagues were assassinated in Yangon.
On July 19, 1947, Bogyoke Aung San, the charismatic leader of Burma’s independence movement and de facto head of the shadow government, was shot dead alongside eight associates during a cabinet meeting in Yangon. Aung San had been instrumental in securing Burma’s transition from British colonial rule toward self-rule and laying the groundwork for national unity. His assassination at the hands of political rivals shocked the nation and left a leadership vacuum on the eve of independence. The killings were allegedly orchestrated by factions opposed to his vision of a united Burma. In the weeks that followed, student and civilian protests demanded justice, leading to arrests and political turmoil. Aung San’s death cast a long shadow over Burma’s path to independence, which was realized just two months later. His legacy as the father of modern Myanmar endures, and July 19 is commemorated as Martyrs’ Day in Myanmar. The anniversary remains a solemn reminder of the cost of political change.
1947
Burmese
Aung San
assassinated
1947day.year
Korean politician Lyuh Woon-hyung is assassinated.
On July 19, 1947, Korean nationalist leader Lyuh Woon-hyung was assassinated in Seoul.
Lyuh Woon-hyung was a prominent figure in the provisional Korean government and a champion of national independence and reconciliation between political factions. On July 19, 1947, he was shot by a young extremist while returning home in Seoul, dying shortly after from his wounds. His vision for a cooperative approach to Korea’s division following Japanese rule had gained traction among moderates but angered hardliners. Lyuh’s assassination underscored the volatile political climate in post-World War II Korea, as leftist and rightist forces vied for control. His death deprived the nascent nation of a unifying leader committed to peaceful unification. In the aftermath, tensions escalated, contributing to the polarization that eventually led to the Korean War. Lyuh’s memory is honored by historians as a visionary whose demise altered the course of Korean history.
Lyuh Woon-hyung
1979day.year
The Sandinista rebels overthrow the government of the Somoza family in Nicaragua.
Sandinista rebels toppled the Somoza dynasty, ending decades of authoritarian rule in Nicaragua.
On July 19, 1979, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) entered Managua and overthrew Anastasio Somoza Debayle, ending 43 years of his family’s dictatorship. The revolution followed a protracted civil conflict marked by guerrilla warfare and widespread popular uprising. Backed by both rural peasants and urban intellectuals, the FSLN aimed to implement socialist reforms and reduce U.S. influence. The fall of Somoza sparked a new government committed to land redistribution, literacy campaigns, and healthcare initiatives. However, it also led to a U.S.-backed counterinsurgency effort by the Contras. The Sandinista triumph remains a defining moment in Cold War–era Latin American history.
1979
Sandinista
government
Somoza
Nicaragua
1980day.year
Opening of the Summer Olympics in Moscow.
The 1980 Summer Olympics officially opened in Moscow, showcasing international athletic competition amid political tensions.
On July 19, 1980, the XXII Olympiad commenced in Moscow’s Lenin Stadium under the shadow of a U.S.-led boycott. More than 80 nations participated, the fewest since 1956, yet athletes from across the Eastern Bloc and other countries pursued new records and Olympic glory. The elaborate opening ceremony featured gymnastics performances, fireworks, and a parade of athletes bearing the Olympic flag. Soviet hosts aimed to demonstrate the strength and harmony of socialist society through sport. Iconic moments included remarkable performances in gymnastics by Nadia Comaneci’s protégés and dominant track results. The Moscow Games left a complex legacy of athletic achievement intertwined with Cold War politics.
1980
Summer Olympics
Moscow
1981day.year
In a private meeting with U.S. President Ronald Reagan, French President François Mitterrand reveals the existence of the Farewell Dossier, a collection of documents showing the Soviet Union had been stealing American technological research and development.
French President Mitterrand disclosed to Reagan the Farewell Dossier, revealing Soviet industrial espionage.
On July 19, 1981, during a confidential meeting at the White House, President François Mitterrand handed President Ronald Reagan the Farewell Dossier. Compiled by French intelligence, the dossier detailed extensive Soviet operations to acquire U.S. technology through espionage. The revelations exposed how the KGB and GRU had infiltrated American research institutions and defense contractors. Armed with this evidence, the Reagan administration launched covert countermeasures to disrupt the thefts. The incident marked a significant escalation in Cold War intelligence battles. The Farewell Dossier remains a landmark case of Western cooperation against clandestine Soviet activities.
1981
Ronald Reagan
François Mitterrand
Farewell Dossier
1992day.year
A car bomb kills Judge Paolo Borsellino and five members of his escort.
A car bomb detonated on July 19, 1992, in Palermo, killing anti-Mafia magistrate Paolo Borsellino and five members of his escort.
During the height of Sicily’s violent Mafia war, Judge Paolo Borsellino was a leading anti-mafia prosecutor renowned for his close work with Judge Giovanni Falcone. On July 19, 1992, as Borsellino left his mother’s home on Via D’Amelio in Palermo, a remote-controlled car bomb exploded beneath his vehicle. The blast instantly killed him and five members of his security detail, shocking Italy and the world. Borsellino’s assassination came just two months after the murder of Falcone and galvanized public outrage against Cosa Nostra. The tragedy spurred sweeping anti-mafia legislation and strengthened law enforcement efforts. His legacy endures in Italy’s ongoing fight against organized crime. Memorials and annual commemorations honor his courage and sacrifice in the pursuit of justice.
1992
kills Judge Paolo Borsellino
2011day.year
Guinean President Alpha Condé survives an attempted assassination and coup d'état at his residence in Conakry.
Guinea's President Alpha Condé thwarted a coup and survived an assassination attempt at his Conakry residence on July 19, 2011.
Alpha Condé, Guinea’s first democratically elected president, faced a dramatic challenge to his authority early in his term. On the evening of July 19, 2011, a faction of soldiers and dissident officers attempted to storm his presidential palace residence in Conakry. The assailants opened fire and tried to seize the compound, aiming to overthrow the government. Loyalist forces and security guards repelled the attack, ensuring the safety of Condé and his family. The failed coup highlighted lingering tensions from years of military rule and resistance to political reform. International actors condemned the violence and reiterated support for Guinea’s constitutional order. President Condé emerged with his mandate reinforced, though the incident exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s security infrastructure.
2011
Guinean
Alpha Condé
residence
Conakry
2018day.year
The Knesset passes the controversial Nationality Bill, which defines the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Israel’s Knesset approved the Nationality Bill on July 19, 2018, officially defining the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Israel’s legislature passed a defining piece of constitutional law on July 19, 2018, when the Knesset approved the Nation-State Bill by a vote of 62 to 55. The law declares that the right to national self-determination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people and elevates the status of Hebrew while downgrading Arabic. Critics argued it marginalized Arab citizens and undermined democratic equality, while supporters hailed it as an affirmation of Israel’s Jewish character. The legislation omitted any explicit guarantee of equality for minority groups, triggering protests and legal challenges. International observers and Jewish communities worldwide debated its implications for Israel’s democratic identity. The bill’s enactment remains one of the most contested legislative acts in Israel’s recent history, reflecting deep divisions over national identity and civil rights.
2018
Knesset
Nationality Bill
State of Israel
nation-state
Jewish people