24 fun facts for December, 19

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
<< December, 18
December, 20 >>
Summary
December 19th contains a variety of fun facts, including the publication of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," the launch of the Soviet Union's Mir space station, National Oatmeal Muffin Day, and the fall of Goa from Portuguese rule. These moments in history and cultural observations make December 19 a truly unique day to celebrate.
24 Fun facts
  1. In 1732, Benjamin Franklin began publishing "Poor Richard's Almanack" on December 19. This annual publication contained weather forecasts, household tips, proverbs, and other useful information that made it one of the most popular publications in colonial America.
  2. On December 19, 1776, Thomas Paine published his pamphlet "American Crisis," which famously begins with the line "These are the times that try men's souls." It was intended to inspire American revolutionaries and their supporters during the Revolutionary War.
  3. December 19 is St. Nicholas Day, also known as Feast of Saint Nicholas, in Eastern Orthodox churches, which use the old Julian calendar. It is a day to honor Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of children and sailors, by giving gifts and celebrating his life.
  4. December 19 is officially recognized as National Oatmeal Muffin Day in the United States, encouraging people to enjoy a delicious and nutritious snack made from a blend of oats, flour, and other ingredients.
  5. On December 19, 1843, Charles Dickens' famous novella "A Christmas Carol" was first published in England. The beloved Christmas tale, featuring the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, has since been adapted countless times for stage and screen.
  6. In 1910, on December 19, the first-ever professional football game was played under artificial lighting. This match took place at Houston's Clark Field and featured the Houston Buffaloes facing off against the Galveston Sand Crabs.
  7. December 19th marks the foundation of the Coca-Cola Company's incorporation in 1911 after a court decision granted the Coca-Cola trademark to The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta.
  8. In 1924, the last Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, known as the "Legendary 40/50HP," was sold on December 19, marking the end of the iconic automobile's production run after 7,874 models were produced.
  9. On December 19, 1932, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) began transmitting overseas via the newly established BBC Empire Service, which is now known as BBC World Service.
  10. In 1950, on December 19, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was named supreme commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) forces in Europe – a key milestone in the establishment of the international military alliance.
  11. December 19 is National Hard Candy Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the history and joy of hard candies, from lollipops to butterscotch and various other flavors.
  12. On December 19, 1961, India annexed the Portuguese colony of Goa, ending more than 450 years of Portuguese rule in the region, following a brief military operation called the "Armed Action Liberation" or "Operation Vijay" (victory).
  13. In 1972, on December 19, Apollo 17, the last manned lunar mission to date, splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, concluding the Apollo program and signaling the end of the first era of human exploration of the moon.
  14. On December 19, 1974, Nelson Rockefeller was sworn in as the 41st Vice President of the United States after Gerald Ford became President following Richard Nixon's resignation.
  15. December 19 is recognized as National Emo Day by fans of the emo subculture and music genre. The day is spent celebrating emo music, fashion, and lifestyle.
  16. In 1984, on December 19, the original Apple Macintosh personal computer went on sale, revolutionizing home computing and starting a long-lasting rivalry between Windows and Apple enthusiasts.
  17. On December 19, 1986, the Soviet Union launched the Mir space station, which became a symbol of international cooperation and a long-standing record holder for longest continuous human presence in space.
  18. December 19 is Look for an Evergreen Day, a tradition of finding and marking the perfect evergreen tree to use as a Christmas tree when the holiday season arrives.
  19. In 1997, on December 19, the film "Titanic," directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, premiered in the United States. It would later become one of the highest-grossing films in history and win 11 Oscars.
  20. On December 19, 1998, the United States House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, making him the second president in U.S. history to be impeached after Andrew Johnson in 1868.
  21. December 19 is the day for the annual Cocoa Day, encouraging people to celebrate the ceremony and enjoy delicious cocoa-based treats.
  22. In 2000, on December 19, the United Nations General Assembly established the World Solidarity Fund to help eradicate poverty and promote development in the least developed countries.
  23. On December 19, 2001, Argentinian President Fernando de la Rúa declared a state of emergency due to widespread civil unrest and rapidly deteriorating economic conditions in Argentina.
  24. In 2018, December 19 saw the official end of the Islamist State (IS) caliphate with the recapture of Hajin, the group's last major stronghold in Syria, by a U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian fighters.

Browse all the fun facts per month