22 fun facts for August, 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
August 19th marks various significant events, such as Orville Wright's birthday and National Aviation Day in the United States. Celebrations like World Photography Day also take place on this date. History showcases important events like the first automobile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Wright brothers' contribution to aviation.
22 Fun facts
  1. On August 19, 1909, the first automobile race took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More than 15,000 people attended the event to witness this historic moment in the world of motor racing.
  2. August 19 is celebrated as National Aviation Day in the United States. The day is marked in honor of Orville Wright's birthday, who, along with his brother Wilbur, is credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane.
  3. In 1692, the infamous Salem Witch Trials took a turn for the worse when five more people were executed on August 19. This event marked the second round of mass executions, bringing the total number of those hanged to 14.
  4. On August 19, 1891, inventor Thomas Edison filed a patent for a motion picture camera known as the Kinetoscope. This innovative invention started the film industry and revolutionized the way people viewed entertainment.
  5. August 19 is World Humanitarian Day, a global celebration that honors humanitarian aid workers who put their lives at risk to help others in need. The day is observed in memory of the 2003 UN headquarters bombing in Baghdad, which killed 22 aid workers.
  6. On August 19, 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower's administration orchestrated a coup d'état against Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. The event, known as Operation Ajax, led to the rise of pro-Western autocrat Reza Pahlavi, also known as the Shah of Iran.
  7. On August 19, 1960, the Soviet Union launched two dogs named Belka and Strelka, along with other animals, aboard the spacecraft Sputnik-5. They successfully returned to Earth, making them the first living creatures to orbit the Earth and return alive.
  8. August 19 is National Potato Day in the United States. The day celebrates one of the world's most popular and versatile vegetables, which has been a dietary staple for many cultures for centuries.
  9. On August 19, 1934, German citizens voted to combine the positions of Chancellor and President, thus giving Adolf Hitler the title of Führer. The referendum resulted in 90% approval, leading to the full consolidation of power by the Nazi Party.
  10. August 19, 1980, marked the beginning of the two-month-long WHO (World Health Organization) Smallpox Eradication Project in India, paving the way for a smallpox-free world.
  11. In 1871, Orville Wright, one half of the Wright brothers and co-inventor of the first successful airplane, was born on August 19. His and his brother's accomplishments revolutionized the world of transportation and aviation.
  12. On August 19, 1961, the Beatles performed their first-ever public concert at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. This event marked the beginning of their extraordinary music career that would eventually change the face of pop culture and music history.
  13. August 19 is World Photography Day, which celebrates the invention of the Daguerreotype, the world's first practical photography process. The day is dedicated to appreciating the art and science of capturing images.
  14. On August 19, 1902, The Washington Times newspaper was first published. The daily newspaper is still in print today, focusing on local and national news, as well as providing conservative perspectives on various issues.
  15. August 19 is International Orangutan Day, which aims to raise awareness about the endangered status of these animals, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The day promotes conservation efforts and celebrates the unique qualities and habitat of orangutans.
  16. On August 19, 1812, during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution, nicknamed "Old Ironsides," defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia. The victory boosted the morale of the American forces.
  17. August 19 is National Honey Bee Day in the United States, established to honor the role honey bees play in agricultural pollination and celebrate beekeepers and their efforts in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies.
  18. In 1993, Martin Scorsese's "The Age of Innocence" debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on August 19. The film adapted Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer.
  19. On August 19, 1839, the French government announced the invention of the Daguerreotype, a photographic process developed by Louis Daguerre, as a "gift to the world." The government purchased the rights to the process so that anyone could use it for free.
  20. In 1934, the first All-American Soap Box Derby took place in Dayton, Ohio, on August 19. This youth racing event allows children to build and race gravity-powered cars in a competition focused on creativity and sportsmanship.
  21. On August 19, 1919, Afghanistan gained independence from Britain after the signing of the Anglo-Afghan Treaty. To this day, August 19th is celebrated as Afghanistan's Independence Day.
  22. In 1913, the first U.S. federal income tax law took effect on August 19. The law was ratified as the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect taxes on personal incomes.

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