October 19: Fun Facts about Today in History

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On October 19, learn about the most interesting historical events and facts that occurred throughout history. The 292nd day of the Gregorian calendar is October 19th. On this day, Saddam Hussein was tried in Iraq for crimes against humanity, the Dow Jones Industrial Index plummeted 22% on Black Monday, and John Jay was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.

The date of October 19 falls under the sign of Libra. Boxer Evander Holyfield and actor John Lithgow both have October 19th birthdays. National Mammography Day and National New Friends Day are also celebrated today.

Event
(October 19, 1596) The Spanish galleon San Felipe sinks in Japan, leading to the martyrdom of 26 Christians the next year. photo source: wikimedia.org
Advertisements (October 19, 1722) French C. Hopffer, a renowned scientist, patented the world's first automatic fire extinguisher in England in 1722. Before 1722, if a fire broke out at a business, the only thing you could do was get a bucket of water and douse it with it. photo source: wikimedia.org
(October 19, 1897) George M. Pullman, the American manufacturer and developer of the Pullman sleeping car, died. photo source: wikimedia.org
(October 19, 1950) Iran is the first country in the Point Four Program to accept technical help from the United States. photo source: wikimedia.org
(October 19, 1960) Cuba is under a near-total trade ban imposed by the United States. Cuba nationalised US-owned oil refineries without compensation, prompting the US to impose an embargo on everything but food and medicine supplies to the island. photo source: wikimedia.org
Advertisements (October 19, 1974) Niue becomes a self-governing New Zealand colony. photo source: wikimedia.org
(October 19, 1987) Dow Jones Industrial Average declines by 22%, or 508 points. October 1987 saw a severe decrease in all of the world's twenty-three main markets. photo source: wikimedia.org
(Died on October 19, 2017) Umberto Lenzi, Italian film director (b. 1931).