TODAY IN HISTORY: MARCH 19

 

March 19

March 19 is a significant date in history as it marks various historical events and milestones. From political developments to scientific breakthroughs and cultural shifts, this day has seen many noteworthy occurrences throughout the years. In this essay, we will delve into some of these events and explore their impact on our world.

One of the most iconic events to take place on March 19 was the official start of the Iraq War in 2003. This military intervention led by the United States, alongside a coalition of other countries, aimed to remove Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq, from power. The war lasted for several years, causing immense devastation and political turmoil in the region. Its long-term consequences are still felt today, with ongoing conflict and instability in Iraq, as well as the wider Middle East.

Another important event that occurred on March 19 happened in 1918, during World War I. This was the day when the United States Congress established the U.S. Army Tank Corps. Tanks revolutionized modern warfare by providing armored protection for troops on the ground and significantly enhancing their firepower. This establishment marked a turning point in military strategy and set the stage for the development of even more advanced and powerful armored vehicles in the future.

Moving on to the realm of science, March 19 witnessed a significant discovery in 1982. On this day, NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft made its closest approach to Uranus, becoming the first and only spacecraft to visit this unique ice giant planet. During the flyby, Voyager 2 captured detailed images and collected important scientific data about the planet's composition, atmosphere, and rings. This groundbreaking mission expanded our knowledge of the outer solar system and paved the way for further exploration.

In the cultural sphere, March 19 holds a special significance for the celebration of St. Joseph's Day. This feast day, observed by Christians worldwide, honors Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ. It is particularly significant in certain Catholic communities, where elaborate processions, feasts, and religious ceremonies take place to honor this revered figure. St. Joseph's Day provides an opportunity for spiritual reflection and communal celebration for millions of people around the world.

March 19 also marks the birth anniversary of several influential individuals who have left an indelible mark on various fields. One such person is Bruce Willis, the American actor known for his roles in iconic films like Die Hard and Pulp Fiction. Willis's versatile acting skills and charisma have made him one of Hollywood's most recognized and respected stars. His contributions to the film industry have earned him critical acclaim and a large fan following.

Additionally, on March 19, 1895, William Bradford Shockley Jr. was born. Shockley was an American physicist and inventor who, along with John Bardeen and Walter Brattain, co-invented the transistor, one of the most transformative technological inventions of the 20th century. Transistors revolutionized the field of electronics, paving the way for the development of modern computers, smartphones, and countless other electronic devices we rely on daily.

In conclusion, March 19 has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history, ranging from political milestones to scientific discoveries and cultural celebrations. From the start of the Iraq War to the birth anniversaries of notable individuals like Bruce Willis and William Shockley, this day serves as a reminder of the profound impact of human actions and achievements. By reflecting on these events, we gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of history, science, and culture, and the role they play in shaping our world.

Here are more events from this day:

1277 – The Byzantine–Venetian treaty of 1277 is concluded, stipulating a two-year truce and renewing Venetian commercial privileges in the Byzantine Empire.

1279 – A Mongol victory at the Battle of Yamen ends the Song dynasty in China.

1284 – The Statute of Rhuddlan incorporates the Principality of Wales into England.

1452 – Frederick III of Habsburg is the last Holy Roman Emperor crowned by medieval tradition in Rome by Pope Nicholas V.

1563 – The Edict of Amboise is signed, ending the first phase of the French Wars of Religion and granting certain freedoms to the Huguenots.

1649 – The House of Commons of England passes an act abolishing the House of Lords, declaring it "useless and dangerous to the people of England".

1687 – Explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle, searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River, is murdered by his own men.

1808 – Charles IV, king of Spain, abdicates after riots and a popular revolt at the winter palace Aranjuez. His son, Ferdinand VII, takes the throne.

1812 – The Cortes of Cádiz promulgates the Spanish Constitution of 1812.

1824 – American explorer Benjamin Morrell departed Antarctica after a voyage later plagued by claims of fraud.

1831 – First documented bank heist in U.S. history, when burglars stole $245,000 (1831 values) from the City Bank (now Citibank) on Wall Street. Most of the money was recovered.

1853 – The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom occupies and makes Nanjing its capital until 1864.

1861 – The First Taranaki War ends in New Zealand.

1863 – The SS Georgiana, said to have been the most powerful Confederate cruiser, is destroyed on her maiden voyage with a cargo of munitions, medicines, and merchandise then valued at over $1,000,000.

1865 – American Civil War: The Battle of Bentonville begins. By the end of the battle two days later, Confederate forces had retreated from Four Oaks, North Carolina.

1885 – Louis Riel declares a provisional government in Saskatchewan, beginning the North-West Rebellion.

1895 – Auguste and Louis Lumière record their first footage using their newly patented cinematograph.

1900 – The British archeologist Sir Arthur John Evans begins excavating Knossos Palace, the center of Cretan civilization.

1918 – The US Congress establishes time zones and approves daylight saving time.

1920 – The United States Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles for the second time (the first time was on November 19, 1919).

1921 – Irish War of Independence: One of the biggest engagements of the war takes place at Crossbarry, County Cork. About 100 Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers escape an attempt by over 1,300 British forces to encircle them.

1931 – Governor Fred B. Balzar signs a bill legalizing gambling in Nevada.

1932 – The Sydney Harbour Bridge is opened.

1943 – Frank Nitti, the Chicago Outfit Boss after Al Capone, commits suicide at the Chicago Central Railyard.

1944 – World War II: The German army occupies Hungary.

1945 – World War II: Off the coast of Japan, a dive bomber hits the aircraft carrier USS Franklin, killing 724 of her crew. Badly damaged, the ship is able to return to the US under her own power.

1945 – World War II: Adolf Hitler issues his "Nero Decree" ordering all industries, military installations, shops, transportation facilities, and communications facilities in Germany to be destroyed.

1946 – French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion become overseas départements of France.

1958 – The Monarch Underwear Company fire leaves 24 dead and 15 injured.

1962 – The Algerian War of Independence ends.

1964 – Over 500,000 Brazilians attend the March of the Family with God for Liberty, in protest against the government of João Goulart and against communism.

1965 – The wreck of the SS Georgiana, valued at over $50,000,000 and said to have been the most powerful Confederate cruiser, is discovered by teenage diver and pioneer underwater archaeologist E. Lee Spence, exactly 102 years after its destruction.

1969 – The 385-metre-tall (1,263 ft) TV-mast at Emley Moor transmitting station, United Kingdom, collapses due to ice build-up.

1979 – The United States House of Representatives begins broadcasting its day-to-day business via the cable television network C-SPAN.

1982 – Falklands War: Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, precipitating war with the United Kingdom.

1989 – The Egyptian flag is raised at Taba, marking the end of Israeli occupation since the Six Days War in 1967 and the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1979.

1990 – The ethnic clashes of Târgu Mureș begin four days after the anniversary of the Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire.

1998 – An Ariana Afghan Airlines Boeing 727 crashes on approach to Kabul International Airport, killing all 45 on board.

2001 – German trade union ver.di is formed.

2002 – Zimbabwe is suspended from the Commonwealth on charges of human rights abuses and of electoral fraud, following a turbulent presidential election.

2004 – Catalina affair: A Swedish DC-3 shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 in 1952 over the Baltic Sea is finally recovered after years of work.

2004 – March 19 Shooting Incident: The Republic of China (Taiwan) president Chen Shui-bian is shot just before the country's presidential election on March 20.

2008 – GRB 080319B: A cosmic burst that is the farthest object visible to the naked eye is briefly observed.

2011 – Libyan Civil War: After the failure of Muammar Gaddafi's forces to take Benghazi, the French Air Force launches Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya.

2013 – A series of bombings and shootings kills at least 98 people and injures 240 others across Iraq.

2016 – Flydubai Flight 981 crashes while attempting to land at Rostov-on-Don international airport, killing all 62 on board.

2016 – An explosion occurs in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, killing five people and injuring 36.