November 19

On November 19, 1881, fragments of a meteorite shower fell near the village of Grossliebenthal southwest of Odesa, Ukraine. Local residents recovered several stones, sparking interest from scientists and collectors. Analysis of the meteorite provided insights into the composition of early solar system materials. Reports of the event appeared in contemporary scientific journals and meteorological records. Some specimens were later deposited in European museums for further study. The Grossliebenthal meteorite remains a notable case in the history of meteoritics, contributing to planetary science research.

On November 19, 2002, the oil tanker Prestige suffered structural failure and split in half off the coast of Galicia, Spain. It released an estimated 63,000 tons (over 76,000 m³) of heavy fuel oil into the Atlantic Ocean. The spill spread along the coasts of Spain, Portugal, and France, devastating marine ecosystems and local fisheries. Thousands of volunteers and cleanup crews battled to contain the slick and restore affected beaches. The disaster prompted widespread public outcry and criticism of maritime regulations. It became the largest environmental catastrophe in Spanish and Portuguese history at the time. The incident led to stricter international rules on single-hull tankers under MARPOL. It also spurred debates on energy transportation safety and corporate responsibility. Long-term ecological impacts were monitored for years following the spill.