August 19: What Happened on This Day in History
August 19th marks the 231st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 232nd in case of leap years). There are 134 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 19th in history, famous birthdays on August 19th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 19.
What happened on August 19?
Here's what happened on August 19th in history:
- 2013: A significant terrorist attack in the Rafah region of the Sinai peninsula claimed the lives of at least 24 Egyptian police officers, escalating tensions in the area and underscoring the ongoing security challenges in the region.
- 2008: Taliban insurgents launched a deadly ambush against French military personnel, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 21 in a complex attack 50 kilometers east of Kabul.
- 2006: A significant military confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah, characterized by intense aerial and ground operations in Lebanon and Israel, with widespread regional implications.
- 1990: Professional golfer Betsy King secured victory at the LPGA JAL Big Apple Golf Classic, further solidifying her reputation as a top women's golf competitor during the late 20th century.
- 1987: ABC News Chief Middle East Correspondent Charles Glass dramatically escapes from his Hizballah kidnappers in Beirut, Lebanon, after an extraordinary sixty-two-day period of captivity. His release highlights the volatile political tensions in the region during the 1980s and the risks faced by international journalists in conflict zones.
- 1986: A devastating car bomb exploded in Tehran, Iran, resulting in the tragic death of 20 individuals. The bombing highlighted the ongoing political tensions and security challenges in the region during the mid-1980s.
- 1983: The Los Angeles Dodgers traded pitchers Dave Stewart and Ricky Wright to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Rick Honeycut, a strategic player exchange during the 1983 baseball season.
- 1978: On August 19, 1978, a devastating arson attack occurred at the Cinema Rex in Abadan, Iran, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 400 people. This horrific event was a significant moment of political tension and is widely considered a pivotal incident that contributed to the momentum of the Iranian Revolution. The fire, believed to have been deliberately set by political extremists, symbolized the growing social unrest and opposition to the Shah's regime.
- 1977: On August 19, 1977, a powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck south of Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, causing catastrophic damage. The seismic event resulted in at least 100 fatalities and completely destroyed several villages. A massive tsunami was generated, with wave heights exceeding 10 meters along the Sumbawa Island coastline and reaching up to 6 meters on the coast of Northern Australia.
- 1975: The Houston Astros baseball team appointed Bill Virdon as their new manager, replacing Preston Gomez in a strategic leadership transition.
What famous birthdays are on August 19?
On August 19th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Matthew Perry]()
Matthew Perry (1969)Iconic Canadian-American actor who rose to global fame as Chandler Bing in the legendary sitcom Friends, becoming a beloved comedy star of...
![Bill Clinton]()
Bill Clinton (1946)42nd President of the United States who served two terms from 1993 to 2001, graduated from Yale Law School, and was Governor of Arkansas.
![Nandana Sen]()
Nandana Sen (1967)Acclaimed Indian actress and daughter of renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen, known for her versatile roles in Bollywood and international cinema.
![Jim Carter]()
![John Stamos]()
John Stamos (1963)John Stamos is an American television actor best known for his iconic role as Uncle Jesse in the popular sitcom 'Full House' and its sequel...
![Nanni Moretti]()
Nanni Moretti (1953)Renowned Italian filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter known for his distinctive auteur style and critically acclaimed movies that often blend...
![Fred Thompson]()
Fred Thompson (1942)Fred Thompson was a prominent American politician, actor, and lawyer who served as a U.S.
![Debra Paget]()
Debra Paget (1933)Debra Paget was a prominent Hollywood actress of the 1950s, known for her exotic beauty and roles in films like 'Love Me Tender'.
![Kyra Sedgwick]()
Kyra Sedgwick (1965)Kyra Sedgwick is an acclaimed American actress best known for her Emmy-winning role as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson in the popular TNT...
![Valérie Kaprisky]()
Valérie Kaprisky (1962)French actress known for her roles in European cinema, with a diverse family background of Turkish and Argentine descent.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on August 19?
On August 19th the following celebrities died:
![Groucho Marx]()
Groucho Marx (1977)Groucho marx was a legendary comedian known for his quick wit, distinctive mustache, and cigar.
![Alastair Sim]()
Alastair Sim (1976)Renowned Scottish character actor famous for his versatile performances in British cinema, particularly in comedies and character roles.
![Jessie Matthews]()
Jessie Matthews (1981)Jessie Matthews was a prominent British actress and singer who was a leading musical film star during the interwar period, known for her...
![Utpal Dutt]()
Utpal Dutt (1993)Renowned Bangladeshi theater and film actor, director, and playwright who significantly influenced Bengali cultural arts in the 20th...
![Hermione Baddeley]()
Hermione Baddeley (1986)Renowned British character actress known for her memorable roles in television series like 'Maude' and 'The Good Life', with a career...
- Linus Pauling (1994)
Renowned American chemist and Nobel laureate who won Nobel Prizes in Chemistry (1954) and Peace (1962).
- James Foley (2014)
American journalist who was tragically kidnapped and executed by ISIS in Syria, becoming a symbol of the brutal conflict and press freedom...
- Sonny Chiba (2021)
Legendary Japanese actor and martial artist famous for his iconic roles in martial arts films, particularly the 'Street Fighter' series.
- Don Hewitt (2009)
Don Hewitt was a pioneering American television producer best known for creating the groundbreaking news magazine '60 Minutes', which...
What day of the year is August 19?
August 19th marks the 231st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 232nd in case of leap years).
There are 134 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 19th is the 19th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 19?
On August 19th, 2025 the day of the week is Tuesday.
| August | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 19?
The zodiac sign associated with August 19th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
