461day.year
Libius Severus is declared emperor of the Western Roman Empire. The real power is in the hands of the magister militum Ricimer.
Libius Severus was proclaimed Western Roman Emperor, though true authority lay with the powerful military commander Ricimer.
Libius Severus, a Roman senator, ascended to the imperial throne in Ravenna on November 19, 461. However, the magister militum Ricimer held the real power, having deposed previous emperors to assert his dominance. Under Severus's nominal reign, Ricimer controlled military and political decisions across the Western Empire. This event highlights the decline of the imperial office and the rise of military strongmen. The situation underscored the fragmentation and internal strife that plagued the late Western Roman Empire.
461
Libius Severus
Western Roman Empire
Ricimer
1794day.year
The United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain sign Jay's Treaty, which attempts to resolve some of the lingering problems left over from the American Revolutionary War.
The United States and Great Britain signed Jay's Treaty, aiming to resolve lingering issues from the Revolutionary War.
Jay's Treaty was signed on November 19, 1794, by U.S. envoy John Jay and Great Britain in London. The agreement aimed to resolve lingering disputes from the American Revolutionary War, including British military posts in the Northwest Territory and pre-war debts. It facilitated ten years of peaceful trade between the two nations and averted further military conflicts. The treaty required British withdrawal from frontier forts and granted limited American access to British markets in the West Indies. Domestically, the accord became a flashpoint for partisan debate, strengthening the Federalist Party's influence in foreign policy. Jay's Treaty set a precedent for diplomatic negotiation with European powers and shaped early U.S. international relations.
1794
Jay's Treaty
American Revolutionary War
1863day.year
American Civil War: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at the dedication ceremony for the military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, a defining moment in American history.
At the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. In just around two minutes and 272 words, Lincoln honored fallen Union soldiers and reaffirmed the ideals of liberty and equality. He redefined the Civil War as a struggle "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." The speech's brevity, eloquence, and moral clarity elevated it to a timeless expression of American democracy. Delivered on the battlefield where thousands had died days earlier, it helped heal a divided nation. The Gettysburg Address remains one of the most influential speeches in U.S. history, shaping national identity and political rhetoric.
1863
American Civil War
Abraham Lincoln
Gettysburg Address
military cemetery
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
1942day.year
Mutesa II is crowned the 35th and last Kabaka (king) of Buganda, prior to the restoration of the kingdom in 1993.
In 1942, Mutesa II was crowned the 35th and final Kabaka of Buganda, a title restored only in 1993 after decades of exile.
Mutesa II ascended the throne of Buganda on November 19, 1942.
He became the 35th Kabaka in a kingdom with centuries-old traditions.
His reign unfolded under British colonial rule in present-day Uganda.
After political conflicts, Mutesa was deposed and exiled in 1953.
Buganda’s monarchy was reinstated in 1993, honoring his enduring legacy.
Mutesa II
Kabaka
Buganda
1946day.year
Afghanistan, Iceland and Sweden join the United Nations.
On November 19, 1946, Afghanistan, Iceland and Sweden were admitted to the United Nations, expanding the organization's post-war global membership.
On November 19, 1946, Afghanistan, Iceland and Sweden were admitted to the United Nations, bringing new voices to the emerging post-war international forum. Their entry reflected the expanding reach of this global body dedicated to maintaining peace and fostering cooperation among nations. Afghanistan offered a strategic perspective from Central Asia, Iceland represented interests in the North Atlantic, and Sweden contributed its long-standing tradition of neutral and humanitarian diplomacy. The admission ceremonies at UN headquarters in New York City underscored the organization's commitment to inclusivity. Since then, each country has played significant roles in various UN initiatives, from peacekeeping missions to humanitarian efforts.
1946
Afghanistan
Iceland
United Nations
1950day.year
US General Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes Supreme Commander of NATO-Europe.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower assumed command of NATO forces in Europe, shaping Western defense strategy during the early Cold War.
On November 19, 1950, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, leading the newly established Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Tasked with organizing and integrating multinational forces, Eisenhower developed strategies to counter Soviet expansion in the early Cold War. His leadership at SHAPE set the foundation for a unified Western defense posture, balancing the capabilities of American, British, French and other allied troops. Eisenhower's diplomatic skill in coordinating diverse military interests enhanced NATO's operational readiness. His tenure at SHAPE also bolstered his international stature, paving the way for his later presidential election in the United States.
1950
Dwight D. Eisenhower
NATO-Europe
1952day.year
Greek Field Marshal Alexander Papagos becomes the 152nd Prime Minister of Greece.
Field Marshal Alexander Papagos transitioned from military leadership to become Greece's Prime Minister amidst post-war recovery.
On November 19, 1952, Field Marshal Alexander Papagos was appointed as the 152nd Prime Minister of Greece, marking his shift from military commander to head of government. As leader of the Greek Rally party, Papagos had earned national prominence for his command during World War II and the Greek Civil War. His administration prioritized rebuilding infrastructure, stabilizing the economy and countering communist influence. Through close ties with Western allies, he secured vital aid under the Marshall Plan and bolstered Greece's position within NATO. Papagos's blend of military prestige and political acumen helped bring stability to a nation emerging from conflict. He served until his death in 1955, leaving a legacy of reconstruction and alignment with the West.
1952
Alexander Papagos
Prime Minister of Greece
1979day.year
Iran hostage crisis: Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini orders the release of 13 female and black American hostages being held at the US Embassy in Tehran.
Ayatollah Khomeini announced the release of 13 female and African American hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran.
On November 19, 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, ordered the release of thirteen female and African American hostages held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. This decision aimed to mitigate international criticism and project a message of moral high ground by releasing the most vulnerable captives. The freed hostages departed Iran soon after, while their remaining colleagues endured captivity for 444 days. The announcement highlighted the regime's strategic use of hostage-taking as a tool of political leverage during the Iran hostage crisis. Global media coverage intensified as diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the rest of the hostages continued. This event underscored the deep tensions between the United States and post-revolutionary Iran and had lasting implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
1979
Iran hostage crisis
Iranian
Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini
US Embassy in Tehran
1985day.year
Cold War: In Geneva, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev meet for the first time.
In Geneva, President Reagan meets General Secretary Gorbachev for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the Cold War.
On November 19, 1985, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev met for the first time in Geneva, Switzerland. The summit opened a new chapter in U.S.-Soviet relations, injecting a personal rapport that eased Cold War tensions. Discussions focused on arms control, human rights, and global security issues. Their meeting set the stage for future negotiations that led to landmark treaties, including the INF Treaty. The encounter showcased a shift from confrontation to cautious dialogue. Historians view this summit as a turning point that ultimately contributed to the end of the Cold War.
1985
Cold War
Geneva
Ronald Reagan
Soviet Union
Mikhail Gorbachev
meet
1985day.year
Police in Baling, Malaysia, lay siege to houses occupied by an Islamic sect of about 400 people led by Ibrahim Mahmud.
Malaysian police surround the homes of an Islamic sect of about 400 followers in Baling, sparking a tense siege.
On November 19, 1985, authorities in Malaysia launched a siege on a compound in Baling inhabited by an Islamic sect led by Ibrahim Mahmud. Police cordoned off the area as negotiations with the group stalled, raising national concerns over religious freedom and public order. The standoff involved heavily armed officers and lasted several days, drawing widespread media attention. Behind the siege lay disputes over unorthodox teachings and accusations of illegal practices within the sect. Eventually, some members agreed to surrender and disperse, while leaders faced legal proceedings. The incident remains a significant example of the challenges in balancing security and civil liberties.
Baling
lay siege
1988day.year
Serbian communist representative and future Serbian and Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević publicly declares that Serbia is under attack from Albanian separatists in Kosovo as well as internal treachery within Yugoslavia and a foreign conspiracy to destroy Serbia and Yugoslavia.
Slobodan Milošević accuses Albanian separatists and foreign conspirators of threatening Serbia and Yugoslavia.
On November 19, 1988, Slobodan Milošević, then a high-ranking Serbian communist representative, publicly declared that Serbia faced attacks from Albanian separatists in Kosovo, internal betrayal, and foreign conspiracies aimed at dismantling Yugoslavia. His fiery rhetoric tapped into rising nationalist sentiments, portraying Serbia as besieged from both within and without. The speech heightened ethnic tensions and contributed to the polarization that preceded the Yugoslav Wars. By framing the crisis as an existential struggle, Milošević consolidated political support and justified repressive measures. Historians consider this address a key moment in the unraveling of Yugoslav unity. The declaration set the tone for the conflicts that erupted in the Balkans in the following years.
1988
Serbian
Yugoslav
Slobodan Milošević
Serbia
Albanian
Kosovo
Yugoslavia
1998day.year
Clinton–Lewinsky scandal: The United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee begins impeachment hearings into U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The House Judiciary Committee opens impeachment hearings against President Bill Clinton amid the Lewinsky scandal.
On November 19, 1998, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee formally began impeachment hearings to consider charges against President Bill Clinton. The proceedings stemmed from allegations that Clinton had lied under oath about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Lawyers from both sides presented opening statements, examining evidence collected by Independent Counsel Ken Starr. The televised hearings gripped the nation, revealing stark partisan divides and fueling public debate. Democrats and Republicans clashed over issues of presidential accountability and judicial overreach. The hearings set in motion a historic process that would culminate in Clinton’s trial and eventual acquittal by the Senate. This chapter remains a defining moment in modern American political history.
1998
Clinton–Lewinsky scandal
United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee
impeachment hearings into
Bill Clinton