November 19

During his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus went ashore on an island called Borinquen on November 19, 1493. He named it San Juan Bautista in honor of Saint John the Baptist. This marked Spain's first formal claim to the island, which would later be renamed Puerto Rico. Columbus and his crew mapped the coastline and noted fertile lands and abundant resources. The landing paved the way for European colonization and profound cultural changes for the indigenous Taíno people. It also exemplified the broader age of exploration that reshaped global history.

In the early hours of November 19, 2022, a gunman opened fire inside Club Q, an LGBTQ-focused nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He fired multiple rounds through the club's entrance and interior before fleeing the scene. Responding officers engaged the shooter in a brief standoff before he surrendered. Five patrons were killed and seventeen more were injured in the attack. Survivors and witnesses described scenes of panic as people sought cover and helped the wounded. The incident was widely condemned as an act of hate and domestic terrorism. The shooting prompted solidarity vigils and calls for stronger gun control measures. Investigations into the shooter's motives and background continue. The tragedy remains a somber reminder of violence targeting marginalized communities.