25 fun facts for January, 19
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
January 19th has been filled with fascinating historical events and celebrations, such as National Popcorn Day in the United States, the first recorded women's soccer match in London, Edgar Allan Poe's birth, and the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell. Other notable moments include the birth of Al Capone, the Beatles' last live concert, and the launch of the New Horizons space probe.
25 Fun facts
- National Popcorn Day is celebrated in the United States on January 19th each year. This fun food holiday pays tribute to the delicious, crunchy snack that is popular at movie theaters, carnivals, and home kitchens.
- On January 19, 1809, renowned writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Known for his macabre and mysterious stories, Poe is considered a pioneer of the American Romantic movement and is responsible for popularizing short stories and detective fiction in the United States.
- The first recorded women's soccer match took place in London on January 19, 1895. This groundbreaking match between North London and South London helped pave the way for the growth of women's soccer across the globe.
- The Coca-Cola Company was incorporated on January 19, 1915, in Atlanta, Georgia. This iconic American brand, known for its refreshing carbonated soft drinks, has become one of the world's most recognized and valuable brands in history.
- Photographer Mathew Brady, who is considered the father of photojournalism, was born on January 19, 1822. His photographs of the American Civil War provided valuable documentation and visuals of the historical events.
- On January 19, 1983, the Apple Lisa, the first personal computer to offer a graphical user interface, was introduced. This revolutionary computer laid the groundwork for the future of Apple and personal computing as we know it today.
- January 19 marks the Feast of Saint Wulfstan, an 11th-century bishop who began his career as a Benedictine monk in Worcester, England. He is best known for his efforts to reform the church and his opposition to the slave trade.
- On January 19, 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his Farewell Address, famously warning Americans about the influence of the "military-industrial complex." This speech is still widely quoted and analyzed today as a cautionary message against excessive military industry influence in politics.
- The Beatles performed their last live concert on the rooftop of Apple Corps headquarters in London, January 19, 1969. This iconic rooftop performance has become a legendary moment in rock music history.
- Famous Mafia boss Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 19, 1899. Capone became one of the most notorious gangsters in American history during the Prohibition era, making a fortune through illegal activities such as bootlegging and gambling.
- The Soviet Union's 1981 Venera 13 spacecraft took the first color pictures of Venus’ surface on January 19, 1961. This robotic probe provided fascinating insight into the atmosphere and surface conditions on our neighboring planet.
- Actor Paul Cezanne, a French Post-Impressionist artist who played a significant role in the transition away from Impressionism, was born on January 19, 1839.
- January 19 marks the beginning of the annual Sydney Festival, which lasts for three weeks. This major Australian arts festival involves theater, dance, music, and visual arts, showcasing various local and international artists and their work.
- India celebrates the All India Kaifi Azmi Day on January 19. This event commemorates the birth anniversary of the poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi, an influential figure in the Indian literary world.
- On January 19, 2006, NASA launched the New Horizons space probe. This formidable spacecraft reached Pluto in July 2015 and performed the first-ever flyby of the dwarf planet, providing valuable data and photographs.
- In 1966, Indira Gandhi became the first female Prime Minister of India on January 19. As the head of the Indian National Congress, she remains one of the most significant figures in Indian political history.
- The popular 1970s TV show "Happy Days" premiered on January 19, 1974. This successful sitcom, set in the 1950s, followed the lives of the Cunningham family and introduced the iconic character Fonzie to audiences everywhere.
- On January 19, 1807, engineer and inventor Robert E. Lee was born. Lee played a crucial role in the construction of several bridges, canals, and railways throughout the United States.
- The Yaghan people of Tierra del Fuego island in South America celebrate the Kipa Festival on January 19. This cultural event seeks to strengthen the bonds between the Yaghan community, as well as celebrate and preserve their unique cultural heritage.
- "Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you", these famous words by Alexander Graham Bell marked the first-ever telephone call on January 19, 1876. This monumental invention revolutionized the way people communicated and shaped the modern world we live in today.
- Celebrating high-quality children's books, the Caldecott Medal was first awarded on January 19, 1938, to Dorothy P. Lathrop for her illustrations in "Animals of the Bible."
- In 1937, aviator Howard Hughes set a new record on January 19, by flying non-stop from Los Angeles to New York City in just 7 hours and 28 minutes.
- The famous luxury ocean liner SS United States was launched on January 19, 1952. At the time, it was the largest, fastest, and most expensive vessel ever built.
- Nobel Prize-winning Irish author James Joyce passed away on January 19, 1941. Joyce was best known for his enigmatic modernist novel "Ulysses."
- On January 19, the UN-supported Humanitarian Pledge for the Prohibition and Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was adopted by the Republic of Austria. This pledge emphasizes the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and calls on UN Member States to work towards disarmament.