Events on Oct 19
- 0615St. Deusdedit I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
- 1031Abbot Humbertus van Echternach opens grave of Saint Willibrord
- 1298Rindfleish-140 Jews of Heilbron Germany are murdered
- 14532nd Battle at Castillon: France beats English, end of hundred year war
- 14662nd Peace of Thorn
- 1492Columbus sites "Isabela" (Fortune Island, Bahamas)
- 1576Dutch provinces begin consultation about Spanish existence
- 1630In Boston the 1st general court is held
- 1634Beach Island in North sea destroyed by a heavy storm flood
- 1682English Lord Shaftesbury flees to Holland
- 1722French C Hopffer patents fire extinguisher
- 1765Stamp Act Congress met in NY, wrote Declaration of Rights and Liberties
- 1781Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown at 2pm; Revolutionary War ends
- 1812Napoleon begins his retreat from Moscow
- 1818US and Chicasaw Indians sign a treaty
- 1849Elizabeth Blackwell becomes 1st woman in US to receive medical degree
- 18531st flour mill in Hawaii begins operations
- 1856James Kelly and Jack Smith fight bareknuckle for 6h15m in Melbourne
- 1859Wilhelm Tempel discovers diffuse nebula around Pleid star Merope
- 1863Battle of Buckland Mills, Virginia
- 1864Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, Union beats back Confederate attackers
- 1864US Brigadier General Emory Upton (25) promoted to General Major
- 18701st (4) blacks elected to House of Reps
- 1870British SS Cambria leaves for Noth sea coast, 196 killed
- 1874Mary Walsh and Charles Colson are 1st couple to be married in a balloon
- 1879Thomas Edison demonstrates electric light
- 1882Pierre de Brazza meets Henry Morton Stanley
- 1888Moshav Gederah is attacked by Arabs
- 1900Henry O Tanner, painter, wins Medal of Honor at Paris Exposition
- 1900S African President Paul Kruger departs for Europe
Born on Oct 19
- 1507Viglius ab Aytta Zuichemus [Aytta van Zwichem]: Dutch priest
- 1545Giovanale Ancina: Composer
- 1581Dimitri Ivanovitch: Russian Son of Ivan IV "the Terrible"
- 1605Thomas Browne: British writer (Garden of Cyrus)
- 1652Louis Le Quointe: Composer
- 1684Johann Christoph Fravenholtz: Composer
- 1690Giuseppi Maria Carretti: Composer
- 1784Leigh Hunt: British writer (Lord Byron)
- 1792Dirk Donker Curtius: Dutch attorney / Minister of Justice (liberal)
- 1810Cassius Marcellus Clay: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1903
- 1819Joseph C Juglar: French Physician / economist (Crises Commercial)
- 1824Frantisek Pivoda: Composer
- 1824Rufus Saxton: Bvt Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1908
- 1828Adolfo Fumagalli: Composer
- 1834Francis Channing Barlow: US lawyer / General Major / co-founder (ABA)
- 1850Annie S Peck: Mountain climber / explorer / diplomat
- 1859Georg Knorr: German engineer (brake system trains)
- 1863John Huston Finley: Illinois, United States -- Editor (NY Times (1937-38)
- 1866Clarence Lucas: Composer
- 1868Bertha Landes: 1st woman elected Mayor of a major US city (Seattle)
- 1871Walter B Cannon: US physiologist (Wisdom of the Body)
- 1873Jaap Eden: Dutch World Champion cycling and speed skating
- 1876Mordecai [3 finger] Brown: Hall of fame pitcher
- 1882Vincas Kreve-Mickievicius: Lithuania -- Poet / philologist / playwright
- 1889Uncle Art Satherly: Entertainer (1968 Academy of Country Music Award)
- 1892Alexander A Aljechin: Russian / French chess champ (1927-35, 37-46)
- 1892Ilmari Hannikainen: Composer
- 1895Louis Mumford: Cultural historian / city planner / writer
- 1899Miguel Asturias: Guatemala -- Poet / diplomat (Hombres de Maiz, Nobel 67)
- 1900Theodoro Valcarcel: Composer
Died on Oct 19
- 1268Konradin von Hohenstaufen: Duke of Zwaben, beheaded
- 1547Pierino del Vaga: Italian painter, dies at about 46
- 1608Martinus A del Rio: Spanish lawyer Historian / theologist
- 1609Jacobus Arminius [Jacob Hermans]: Theologist, dies at about 49
- 1758Johan H Roman: Finnish / Swedish Composer / conductor / violinist
- 1786Pietro Alessandro Pavona: Composer, dies at 58
- 1790Lyman Hall: US Physician / signer (Declaration of Independence), dies at 66
- 1793Francisco Morera: Composer, dies at 62
- 1813Josef Poniatovski: Polish General / marshal of France, dies in battle
- 1834Cornelis Loots: Accountant / Poet (Volkswoede), dies at 69
- 1835Henry Doeff: Translator (Dutch-Japanese dictionary), dies at 57
- 1838Henry Fagel: Baron / court clerk of States-General / diplomat, dies at 73
- 1864Daniel Davidson Bidwell: Magistrate / Brigadier General, dies in battle at 45
- 1888Amaat Vyncke: Flemish Missionary / founder (Flemish Wind), dies at 38
- 1909Cesare Lombroso: Italian psychiatrist / criminologist
- 1918Joseph Lesage: French Painter / etcher (WWI), dies at 34
- 1921Antonio Granjo: Premier (Portugal), murdered
- 1932Arthur Friedheim: Composer, dies at 72
- 1934Johan J Arch: Graphic artist (houtgravures), dies at 63
- 1937Ernest Rutherford baron of Nelson: Engl physicist (Nobel 1908)
- 1955John Hodiak: Actress (Lifeboat, Battleground), dies at 41
- 1957Vere G Childe: British archaeologist / prehistorian, dies at 65
- 1959Boughera El Quafi: Marathoner (1928 Olympics - Gold Medalist), shot to death at 60
- 1959Stanley Bate: Composer, dies at 45
- 1961Benjamin Merkelbach: Architect / city builder of Amsterdam, dies at 60
- 1961John Axel Fernstrom: Composer, dies at 63
- 1964Maurice Gosfield: Actor (Doberman-Phil Silvers Show), dies at 51
- 1966Elizabeth Arden: US cosmetic manufacturer
- 1971Alberto Pirelli: Italian industrial, dies at 89
- 1971Betty Bronson: Actress (Naked Kiss), dies after brief illness at 64
Historical events on October 20
- 10971st Crusaders arrive in Antioch
- 1528Treaty of Gorinchem (Emperor & church)
- 1536Danish / Norw King Christian III leads reform in Catholic possessions
- 1576Spanish troops occupies and plunder Maastricht
- 1587Battle at Coultras: Henri van Navarra beats Catholic League
- 1603Chinese uprising in Philippines fails after 23,000 killed
- 1634English King Charles I disbands new "Ship Money" tax
- 1714Georg Ludwig of Hannover crowned as King George I
- 1740Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia
- 1751Royal ship Duc de Bourgogne launched at Rochefort
- 1774Continental Congress orders discouragment of entertainment
- 1786Harvard University organizes 1st astronomical expedition in US
- 1803US Senate ratifies Louisiana Purchase
- 1813German Kingdom of Westphalia abolished
- 18171st Mississippi "Showboat, " leaves Nashville on maiden voyage
- 181849th parallel forms as border between US and Canada
- 1818US and Britain agree to joint control of Oregon country
- 1820Spain sells part of Florida to US for $5 million
- 18221st edition of London Sunday Times
- 1827Battle at Navarino: Engl / Russ / French fleet beat Turk / Egyptian fleet
- 1833Charles Darwin reaches river mouth of Parana
- 1835HMS Beagle leaves Galapagos Archipelago / sails to Tahiti
- 18431st Chinese immigrant arrives in Suriname
- 1847Little William Nelman poisons his grandpa
- 1856Arnhem-Oberhausen railway in the Netherlands opens
- 1862Amnesty proclaimed for escaped slaves of Suriname
- 1864Lincoln formaly establishes Thanksgiving as a National holiday
- 1873P T Barnum Hippodrome featuring "Greatest Show on Earth, " opens (NYC)
- 1880Amsterdam Free University opens
- 1883Treaty of Ancon, Peru cedes Tarapaca to Chile
Born on October 20
- 1435Andrea Della Robbia: Florence, Italy -- Sculptor, nephew of Luca
- 1475Giovanni Rucellai: Italian poet (Le Api)
- 1496Claude de Lutherans: Duke of Guise
- 1632Christopher Wren: England, United Kingdom -- Astronomer / great architect
- 1637Nicolaas van der Veken: Flemish sculptor (confessional chairs)
- 1679Samuel von Cocceji: German lawyer
- 1719Gottfried Achenwall: German lawyer / statistician / economist
- 1740Belle van Zuylen: Netherlands -- Swiss writer (Three Women)
- 1751Hendrik van Stralen: Dutch MP / Secretary of Interior
- 1780M Pauline Bonaparte: Corsican Duchess of Parma / Guastalla
- 1784Lord Henry JT Palmerston: English Minister of Foreign Affairs
- 1788Philip Knapton: Composer
- 1792Anton Bernhard Furstenau: Composer
- 1792Colin Campbell / Lord Clyde: British officer (Sepoy-uprising)
- 1808Karl [Theodor] Andree: German geographer / journalist (Globus)
- 1812Austin Flint: 19th century heart research pioneer
- 1819Daniel Edgar Sickles: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1914
- 1819Karol Mikuli: Composer
- 1820Benjamin Franklin Cheatham: Major General (Confederate Army)
- 1820George Jerrison Stannard: Bvt Major General (Union volunteers)
- 1822Mansfield Lovell: Major General (Confederate Army), died in 1884
- 1843Victor de Stuers: Dutch art connoisseur
- 1854Alphonse Allais: French author / humorist (Pass the Bile)
- 1854Arthur Rimbaud: France -- Poet / adventurer (Illuminations)
- 1859John Dewey: Philosopher, educational theorist / writer (Learn by doing)
- 1871Frederick Burton: Indiana, United States -- Actor (One Way Passage)
- 1874Charles Edward Ives: Danbury, Connecticut -- Composer (Holiday Quick Step)
- 1874Viscount Palmerston: (Whig) British Prime Minister (1855-65)
- 1877Josephine McGill: Composer
- 1884Thomas Chalmers: NYC, New York -- Actor (Blind Alleys, Outrage)
Died on October 20
- 0460Eudocia Aelia Athenais: Empress Oostromeinse Rich / poetess
- 1139Henry X the Trotse: Duke of Bayern (1126-38)
- 1187Urbanus III [Umberto Crivelli]: Italian Pope (1185-87)
- 1268Conrad Hohenstaufen [Conrad van Zwaben]: Son of Conrad IV
- 1268Konradijn Hohenstaufen: Son of Koenraad IV, beheaded in Naples
- 1274Engelbert II of Falkenburg: Archbishop of Cologne
- 1438Jacopo di Piero della Quercia: Italian sculptor, dies at about 64
- 1525Joannes Custos: S Netherlands humanist, dies at about 50
- 1676Christopher Gibbons: Composer, dies at 61
- 1740Karl VI: German Emperor (1711-40)
- 1765William August Duke of Cumberland: Engl Supreme Commander, dies at 44
- 1794James Adam: System Architect (essays on agriculture), dies at about 64
- 1819Lambert-Francois Godecharle: Composer, dies at 66
- 1864Stephen Dodson Ramseur: Confederate General Major, dies at 27
- 1870Michael William Balfe: Composer (Bohemian Girl), dies at 62
- 1871Charles Babbage: English Mathematician (calculator), dies at 78
- 1876Jeronimo de Bosch Kemper: Dutch sociologist / historian, dies at 68
- 1899Robert H "Bobby" Gunning: British Colonel (60th Rifles), dies in battle
- 1900Charles Dudley Warner: US writer (As We Go), dies at 70
- 1904Henry Hiles: Composer, dies at 77
- 1906William "Buck" Ewing: Hall of fame catcher (New York Giants), dies at 67
- 1913Leander Schlegel: Composer, dies at 69
- 1927Mikhail Mikhaylovich Ivanov: Composer, dies at 78
- 1929Rudolf Kittel: German theologist, dies at 76
- 1931Emanuel Moor: Composer, dies at 68
- 1942May Robson: Actress (Star is Born, Reckless), dies at 84
- 1944Gabriel Groulez: Composer, dies at 65
- 1950Henry Lewsis Stimson: US Minister of War / Governor-General
- 1952Basil Radford: Actor (Whisky Galore, Dead of Night), dies at 55
- 1954Willie Shaw: Race car driver (Indy 500-1937, 39, 40), dies at 51
Events on Oct 21
- 0310St. Eusebius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
- 0335Constantinople Emperor Constantine the Great rules laws against Jews
- 0686Conon begins his reign as Catholic Pope
- 1096Sultan Kilidj Arslan of Nicea defeats 1st Crusaders
- 1187Alberto de Morra elected as Pope Gregorius VIII (12 / 17 / 1187)
- 1492Columbus lands on San Salvador Island
- 1520Ferdinand Magellen arrives at Tierra Del Fuego (Pacific Ocean)
- 1553Volumes of Talmud are burned
- 1555Emperor Charles V makes Erard of Pallandt Earl of Culemborg
- 1555English parliament refuses to recognize Philip of Spain as King
- 15682nd Altenburger sermon: Philippisten / Gnesiolutheranen
- 1591Nijmegen surrenders to Earl Mauritius van Nassau
- 1639Dunes (Marten Tromp defeats Spanish armada under De Oquendo)
- 1639Sea battle at Dunes: Lieutenant Admiral Maarten Tromp beats Spanish Armada
- 1641Catholic uprising in Ulster: 1000s English and Scots killed
- 1652King Louis XIV returns to Paris
- 1708Dutch and English troops occupy Lille (Rijsel)
- 1727Russian and Chinese accord to correct boundaries
- 1797US Navy frigate Constitution, Old Ironsides, launched in Boston
- 1805Battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Nelson defeats French and Spanish fleet and dies
- 1824Joseph Aspdin patents Portland cement (Yorkshire England)
- 1858In Paris, the Can-Can is 1st performed
- 1868Severe earthquake at 7:53 AM, centered in Hayward, California
- 18691st shipment of fresh oysters comes overland from Baltimore
- 18711st US amateur outdoor athletic games (NY)
- 1878German Republic chancellor Bismarck delegates end of "Socialism"
- 1879Thomas Edison perfects carbonized cotton filament light bulb
- 1887Detroit clinches best-of-15 touring World Championship with its 8th victory in Game 11 this afternoon in Baltimore, 13-3
- 1897Yerkes Observatory of University of Chicago is dedicated
- 1899Battle at Elandslaagte Natal: (Boers vs. British army)
Born on Oct 21
- 1570Wolfgang Schonsleder: Composer
- 1574Nicolo Rubini: Composer
- 1582Johan Ernst Earl of Nassau-Siegen: Military / Son of Johan VII
- 1650Jean Bart: French captain / sea hero (Escape from Plymouth)
- 1680Francisco Jose Coutinho: Composer
- 1751David Moritz Michael: Composer
- 1762Herman W Daendels: Brigadier General / Governor-General of Dutch-Indies (1807-11)
- 1767Francesco Ruggi: Composer
- 1772Samuel Taylor Coleridge: England, United Kingdom -- Poet (Rime of Ancient Mariner)
- 1775Guiseppi Baini: Composer
- 1803George Wright: Brigadier General (Union volunteers), died in 1865
- 1807Hanri Reber: Composer
- 1807Miguel Hilarion Eslava y Elizondo: Composer
- 1822Levinus Keuchenius: Dutch Minister of Colonies (1888-90)
- 1823Pasqual Juan Emilio Arrieta y Corera: Composer
- 1827Petrus PM Alberdingk Thijm: Dutch historian / writer
- 1833Alfred Bernhard Nobel: Stockholm, Sweden -- Created dynamite and Peace Prizes
- 1839Georg von Siemens: Founder (Deutsche Bank)
- 1843Mark M Antokolski: Russian / French sculptor (Peter the Great)
- 1846Edmondo de Amicis: Italian writer (Cuore)
- 1847Guiseppe Giacosa: Italian songwriter (libretti opera Puccini)
- 1873George P Gooch: English historian / MP
- 1874Albert Aftalion: Bulgaria -- French economist
- 1879Marie Joseph Canteloube de Malaret: Composer
- 1885Egon Joseph Wellesz: Austria -- Composer / musicologist
- 1885Jan Altink: Dutch painter / co-founder (Ploeg)
- 1890Gerrit Engelke: German writer / poet (Love Letters)
- 1891John Metzelaar: Dutch / US (About Tropical Atl Visschen)
- 1891Ted Shawn: US dancer / choreographer (Dance We Must)
- 1895Shukichi Mitsukuri: Composer
Died on Oct 21
- 1422Charles VI: King of France (1380-1422), dies at 54
- 1439Traversari Ambrosius: Italian humanist / leader, dies at 53
- 1558Julius Caesar Scaliger: Italian Physician (Poetice), dies at 74
- 1561Johannes Vasaeus: Flemish humanist / historian, dies at about 49
- 1627Frederik de Houtman: Navigator / Governor of Ambon, dies at about 56
- 1629Tumengung Buraksa: Matarams / Javanese General, dies in battle
- 1637Laurens Reael: Vice-governor of Ambon / Poet / Admiral, dies at 54
- 1650Pedro de Espinosa: Spanish Poet / writer
- 1662Henry Lawes: Composer, dies at 66
- 1765Giovanni Paolo Pannini / Panini: Italian Painter / architect, dies at 73
- 1773Johann Conrad Schlaun: German barok architect, dies at 78
- 1793Johann Ernst Hartmann: Composer, dies at 66
- 1798Johann Christoph Schmugel: Composer, dies at 71
- 1805Horatio Nelson: Dies in Battle of Trafalgar
- 1805Johann Baptist Lasser: Composer, dies at 54
- 1810Franz Teyber: Composer, dies at 52
- 1861Edward Dickinson Baker: US attorney / senator, dies in battle at 50
- 1861John Breckinridge Grayson: Confederate Brigadier General
- 1863Lambertus GC Ledeboer: Dutch old-reformed vicar, dies at 55
- 1872Jacques Babinet: French physicist / Mathematician / astronomer, dies at 78
- 1897Paul Kuczynski: Composer, dies at 50
- 1905Jose Teodor Vilar: Composer, dies at 69
- 1906[Georgette A] Helena Amelung: Actress (Small Lord), dies at 55
- 1919Sven August Korling: Composer, dies at 77
- 1924Martin Pierre Joseph Marsick: Composer, dies at 76
- 1931A Schnitzler: Writer, dies at 69
- 1943Alfred DPR Pound: British Admiral / 1st Sealord (Jutland, WWII)
- 1961Nils J E Ferlin: Swedish songwriter (Goggles)
- 1963George B Cressey: US geographer (Crossroads), dies at 66
- 1965Bill Black: Rocker, dies at 39