December 19

Events - Society & Lifestyle

1606day.year

The ships Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery depart England carrying settlers who founded, at Jamestown, Virginia, the first of the thirteen colonies that became the United States.

On December 19, 1606, the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery set sail from England, carrying the first settlers to Jamestown, Virginia.
On this day in 1606, three ships—the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery—departed England under the Virginia Company's charter. Aboard were over a hundred colonists destined to found Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. The voyage across the Atlantic took nearly four months, testing the settlers' endurance with storms and illness. Arriving in May 1607, they established Jamestown on the James River, facing brutal winters and food shortages. This expedition launched the era of English colonization that would shape the future United States. The legacy of Jamestown endures in American history and heritage.
1606 Susan Constant Godspeed Discovery Jamestown, Virginia thirteen colonies
1932day.year

BBC World Service begins broadcasting as the BBC Empire Service.

On December 19, 1932, the BBC Empire Service, later known as the BBC World Service, began broadcasting globally.
On December 19, 1932, the British Broadcasting Corporation launched the BBC Empire Service. It was the BBC's first international radio broadcast service, aimed primarily at English-speaking audiences in the British Empire. Initial transmissions came from the Daventry transmitting station using shortwave frequencies. Programming included news, music, and cultural features designed to inform and entertain listeners across multiple continents. The service was renamed the BBC World Service after World War II, broadening its language offerings and global reach. Today, it broadcasts in dozens of languages, remaining a vital source of international news and analysis.
1932 BBC World Service
2001day.year

Argentine economic crisis: December riots: Riots erupt in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Riots erupted in Buenos Aires amid Argentina's deepening economic crisis, leading to clashes and widespread unrest.
On December 19, 2001, widespread riots erupted in Buenos Aires amid Argentina’s deepening economic crisis. Citizens protested against bank freezes, soaring unemployment, and government austerity measures that left many unable to access their own savings. Demonstrations quickly turned violent, with clashes between protesters and security forces in the city's financial district. Businesses were looted, buildings damaged, and public transportation disrupted, reflecting mounting social unrest. The government declared a state of emergency, imposed curfews, and negotiated with union leaders to restore order. The December riots intensified calls for political reform and contributed to the collapse of the presidency of Fernando de la Rúa just days later. This episode became emblematic of the broader Latin American debt crisis and its human impact.
Argentine economic crisis December riots Buenos Aires Argentina