October 19
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Aaron(Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria), Aquilinus of Évreux, Desiderius (Didier) of Auxerre, Frideswide, Henry Martyn(Anglican Communion), Isaac Jogues,Jean de Brébeuf, andCompanions, BlessedJerzy Popiełuszko, Paul of the Cross, Ptolemaeus and Lucius, Varus, Veranus of Cavaillon, William Carey(Episcopal Church), October 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day honoring various saints and martyrs observed on October 19 in different traditions.
Constitution Day, in honor of the country's independence (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) in 1974. (Niue)
National public holiday marking Niue's Constitution Day, celebrating self-government in free association with New Zealand since 1974.
Oxfordshire Day
A day celebrating Oxfordshire's heritage, culture, and community across the English county.
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
Annual international observance dedicated to raising awareness of bone and joint health in children.
Aaron(Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria)
Feast day of Saint Aaron observed by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
Aquilinus of Évreux
Feast day of Saint Aquilinus, 7th-century bishop of Évreux in Normandy.
Desiderius (Didier) of Auxerre
Feast day of Saint Desiderius, bishop of Auxerre, known for his ecclesiastical reforms.
Frideswide
Feast day of Saint Frideswide, patron saint and founder of Oxford's first monastery.
Henry Martyn(Anglican Communion)
Feast day of Henry Martyn, Anglican missionary and translator.
Events
Second Punic War: At the Battle of Zama, Roman legions under Scipio Africanus defeat Hannibal Barca, leader of the army defending Carthage.
At the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, Roman general Scipio Africanus achieved a decisive victory over Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War.
The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, take Carthage in North Africa.
In 439 AD, King Gaiseric led the Vandals to capture Carthage, establishing their kingdom in North Africa.
The Universität Heidelberg holds its first lecture, making it the oldest German university.
The University of Heidelberg gave its first lecture in 1386, becoming Germany’s oldest university.
Hundred Years' War: Three months after the Battle of Castillon, England loses its last possessions in southern France.
In 1453, three months after Castillon, England lost its last territories in southern France, ending the Hundred Years' War.
The Thirteen Years' War between Poland and the Teutonic Order ends with the Second Treaty of Thorn.
The Second Treaty of Thorn in 1466 ended the Thirteen Years’ War between Poland and the Teutonic Order.
Ferdinand II of Aragon marries Isabella I of Castile, a marriage that paves the way to the unification of Aragon and Castile into a single country, Spain.
Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile in 1469, laying the foundation for a unified Spain.
Martin Luther becomes a doctor of theology.
In 1512, Martin Luther earned his doctorate in theology at the University of Wittenberg.
James VI of Scotland is celebrated as an adult ruler by a festival in Edinburgh.
James VI of Scotland was celebrated as an adult ruler with a grand festival in Edinburgh in 1579.
The Spanish ship San Felipe runs aground on the coast of Japan and its cargo is confiscated by local authorities.
In 1596, the Spanish galleon San Felipe ran aground on the Japanese coast and its cargo was seized.
Births
Yingtian
Empress consort of the Khitan Liao Dynasty who played a key role in court politics.
Japanese prince who served as the eighth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.
Marsilio Ficino
Italian Renaissance philosopher and astrologer who revived Platonic thought.
Viglius
Dutch jurist and statesman who advised rulers of the Habsburg Netherlands.
John Juvenal Ancina
Italian Oratorian priest and bishop known for his spiritual writings.
Dmitry of Uglich
Russian crown prince whose mysterious death inspired sainthood and legend.
Thomas Browne
English physician and author best known for his essays blending science, religion, and philosophy.
Gerrard Winstanley
English Protestant reformer who led the Diggers to advocate for communal land ownership.
James Butler
Anglo-Irish nobleman who served as a general and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Deaths
Frithuswith
Anglo-Saxon abbess and saint, founder of an abbey in Oxford.
Conrad I
King of Burgundy known for his peaceful and stable reign.
John
King of England whose conflicts with barons led to the sealing of the Magna Carta.
Bohemond VII
Count of Tripoli who struggled to defend his Crusader state in the Levant.
Yusuf I
Sultan of Granada celebrated for his architectural patronage and support of the arts.
Cansignorio della Scala
Lord of Verona whose rule commissioned lasting architectural works.
John Charleton
English baron who served as a key Marcher lord during the late 14th century.
John de Mowbray
Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal who served in the Hundred Years' War.
Francesco I de' Medici
Grand Duke of Tuscany renowned for his patronage of science, arts, and alchemy.