33 fun facts for April, 19

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
April 19th is a day marked by significant historical and cultural events, including the start of the American Revolutionary War, the debut of "The Simpsons," and the birthdays of prominent figures like actor James Franco and singer Michael Bublé. National days celebrated on this date include National Garlic Day in the United States and National Amaretto Day in the Netherlands.
33 Fun facts
  1. April 19, 1775 - The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These were the first military engagements of the war and marked the start of the armed conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in America.
  2. April 19, 1824 - English poet Lord Byron died. He was one of the greatest and most influential British poets, known for his brilliant use of satire and his intense exploration of human nature in his works such as "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage."
  3. April 19, 1882 - Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution, passed away in Kent, England. His groundbreaking work, "On the Origin of Species," had a profound impact on the scientific understanding of life on Earth and continues to influence biology and other fields today.
  4. April 19, 1897 - The first ever Boston Marathon took place, starting a tradition that continues to this day. It is the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious, drawing thousands of runners from around the globe each year.
  5. April 19, 1919 - French aviator Roland Garros died. He was known for being the first person to fly across the Mediterranean Sea, and his name is now synonymous with the famous French tennis championship, the Roland Garros tournament.
  6. April 19, 1927 - Mae West was sentenced to jail for her controversial play, "Sex." The play was deemed so scandalous at the time that West, who wrote, directed, and starred in it, was convicted of "corrupting the morals of youth."
  7. April 19, 1933 - The United States officially went off the gold standard when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the "Gold Reserve Act." This allowed the government to manage the value of the US dollar by controlling the supply of gold in circulation, rather than backing every dollar with a specific amount of gold.
  8. April 19, 1943 - Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, took the first-ever LSD trip. He accidentally ingested the drug while researching its potential medical uses and experienced its hallucinogenic effects, which later led to the drug's popularity in counterculture movements.
  9. April 19, 1956 - Actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, becoming Princess Grace of Monaco. The glamorous Hollywood star's royal wedding was a global sensation at the time, and she subsequently left acting to focus on her life as a royal and humanitarian work.
  10. April 19, 1987 - The first episode of "The Simpsons" debuted on television as a short segment on "The Tracey Ullman Show." The animated family went on to have their own series, becoming the longest-running TV show in history.
  11. April 19, 1993 - The FBI attempted to end a 51-day standoff with the Branch Davidians, a religious group led by David Koresh in Waco, Texas. The group's compound was set on fire, resulting in the deaths of 76 individuals, including Koresh.
  12. April 19, 1995 - A truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more. Domestic extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were later convicted for their roles in the terror attack.
  13. April 19, 1999 - The first DVD player was introduced by Sony. The cutting-edge technology allowed users to watch videos on discs with far superior picture and sound quality compared to VHS tapes and ultimately revolutionized the home entertainment industry.
  14. April 19, 2000 - Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was named the richest person in the world for the sixth consecutive year. His net worth at the time was estimated at $60 billion, primarily due to his early investments in the technology giant.
  15. April 19, 2005 - German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI, succeeding Pope John Paul II. He became the 265th pope in the Roman Catholic Church's history, serving until his resignation in 2013.
  16. April 19, 2011 - Fidel Castro resigned from the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, essentially ending his formal role in the country's leadership. He had ruled Cuba for almost half a century, transforming it into a communist state and fiercely opposing the United States.
  17. April 19, 2014 - Mt. Everest saw its deadliest day when an avalanche killed 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides. The tragedy highlighted the risks involved in climbing the world's highest peak and sparked debates about safety and the treatment of the local Sherpa community.
  18. April 19, 2018 - Miguel Díaz-Canel was sworn in as Cuba's president, marking the first time in almost six decades that someone outside the Castro family has ruled the country. Díaz-Canel's presidency represents a new era for Cuba and highlights a generational shift.
  19. National Garlic Day is celebrated annually on April 19th in the United States. The day is dedicated to honoring this versatile and flavorful ingredient, which is used in various cuisines worldwide for its pungent taste and numerous health benefits.
  20. April 19, 1984 - Canadian musician Michael Bublé was born. He has since become a major recording artist known for his timeless jazz-inspired style, revitalizing classic songs, and charming stage presence. Some of his most popular albums include "It's Time," "Call Me Irresponsible," and "To Be Loved."
  21. April 19, 1978 - Actor James Franco was born. Known for his diverse acting roles in films like "127 Hours," "Spider-Man," "Milk," "Pineapple Express," and "The Disaster Artist," Franco has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors.
  22. April 19, 1987 - French actress, model, and singer Maria Schneider was born. She achieved international fame for her controversial role in the 1972 film "Last Tango in Paris" alongside Marlon Brando.
  23. April 19, 1935 - American actor and filmmaker Dudley Moore was born. He gained fame for his comedic roles in films such as "Bedazzled," "Arthur," and "10" and was also an accomplished pianist and composer.
  24. April 19, 1968 - Ashley Judd, an American actress and political activist, was born. She is best known for her acting roles in films like "Double Jeopardy," "Kiss the Girls," and "High Crimes," as well as her ongoing advocacy work in human rights and environmental conservation.
  25. April 19, 1962 - American actress and comedian Alia Shawkat was born. She is best known for her roles in television series like "Arrested Development" and "Search Party" and has been praised for her versatile acting talents.
  26. April 19, 1980 - Bollywood actress and former Miss India Universe, Gul Panag, was born. She has since appeared in numerous films like "Dor," "Manorama Six Feet Under," and "Fatso!"
  27. April 19, 1955 - American actress and dancer Leslie Browne was born. She is best known for her role in the 1977 film "The Turning Point," which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
  28. April 19, 2012 - Actor Dick Clark, known as "America's oldest teenager," passed away. He was famous for hosting popular television programs like "American Bandstand," "Pyramid," and "New Year's Rockin' Eve," which helped shape pop culture for decades.
  29. In the Netherlands, April 19th is celebrated as National Amaretto Day. Amaretto, an almond-flavored liqueur originally from Italy, is a widely popular drink that is often enjoyed as an after-dinner treat or mixed in cocktails.
  30. April 19, 1969 - The first ever Major League Baseball game played outside the United States occurred between the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets. This historical event highlighted the expansion of America's favorite sport into other countries.
  31. April 19, 1920 - The first legal game of what would become the National Football League was played in Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Triangles defeated the Columbus Panhandles in the landmark game, establishing a legacy that continues to captivate fans today.
  32. April 19, 1934 - The first ever NFL Draft took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event marked the beginning of an annual tradition that has become a major spectacle for football fans and aspiring athletes.
  33. April 19, 1977 - The first women's league in professional basketball, the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL), was formed. This groundbreaking move eventually paved the way for the establishment of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1997.

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