May 19: What Happened on This Day in History
May 19th marks the 139th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 140th in case of leap years). There are 226 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 19th in history, famous birthdays on May 19th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 19.
What happened on May 19?
Here's what happened on May 19th in history:
- 2017: A roadside bomb killed at least 11 people in Logar Province, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability in Afghanistan.
- 2016: Syrian government forces, supported by Lebanese Hezbollah soldiers, successfully recaptured significant territories southeast of Damascus, including the strategically important town of Deir al-Asafir. Simultaneously, intense fighting erupted between rival factions Jaysh al-Islam and al-Qaeda's Nusra Front near Damascus, resulting in over 50 casualties.
- 2012: A suicide bombing at an eastern Afghan police checkpoint in Khost province resulted in ten fatalities, underscoring the persistent security challenges in the region.
- 2009: Velupillai Prabhakaran, the notorious leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was found dead in northeast Sri Lanka, marking a significant turning point in the long-running Sri Lankan Civil War.
- 2005: Scientists discovered that the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was the longest seismic event ever recorded, lasting almost ten minutes. Most powerful earthquakes typically last only a few seconds, making this event extraordinary. The earthquake was so intense that it shook the entire globe, demonstrating the immense geological power of this natural disaster.
- 2003: Pen Hadow achieves a remarkable polar exploration milestone by becoming the first person to walk alone and without external support from Canada to the North Pole, demonstrating extraordinary endurance and navigational skills in one of the world's most challenging environments.
- 1989: Linda Gray's character Sue Ellen makes her last appearance on the iconic television series Dallas, marking the end of a significant storyline in one of the most popular primetime soap operas of the 1980s.
- 1980: The theatrical production 'Blackstone' opened at the Majestic Theater in New York City, running for 104 performances and contributing to the city's vibrant performing arts scene.
- 1979: The disco hit 'In The Navy' by Village People climbed to number three on the music charts, showcasing the band's popularity during the late 1970s disco era.
- 1974: Joanne Carner wins the LPGA Bluegrass Invitational golf tournament.
What famous birthdays are on May 19?
On May 19th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Pete Townshend]()
Pete Townshend (1945)Legendary guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of the iconic rock band The Who.
![André the Giant]()
André the Giant (1946)André the Giant was a legendary French professional wrestler and actor, famous for his extraordinary size and memorable role in 'The...
![Grace Jones]()
Grace Jones (1948)Grace Jones is a pioneering Jamaican-American singer, actress, and model who revolutionized pop culture with her avant-garde style and...
![Kevin Garnett]()
Kevin Garnett (1976)Kevin Garnett is a legendary NBA power forward who played primarily for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics, known for his...
![Dario Franchitti]()
Dario Franchitti (1973)Scottish race car driver who won the Indianapolis 500 three times and is considered one of the most successful IndyCar drivers of his...
![Nancy Kwan]()
Nancy Kwan (1939)Hong Kong-American actress who was a pioneering Asian performer in Hollywood, known for breaking racial barriers in film during the 1960s.
![Rebecca Hall]()
Rebecca Hall (1982)Rebecca Hall is a critically acclaimed English-American actress known for her versatile performances in independent and mainstream films,...
![Jon Kortajarena]()
Jon Kortajarena (1985)Jon Kortajarena is a renowned Spanish model and actor who has worked with top international fashion brands like Tom Ford and appeared in...
![Claudia Karvan]()
Claudia Karvan (1972)Prominent Australian actress, screenwriter, and producer known for her significant contributions to Australian television and film industry.
![Nora Ephron]()
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 May 19?
On May 19th the following celebrities died:
![Alan Young]()
Alan Young (2016)Alan Young was a beloved Canadian-American actor famous for his iconic role as Wilbur Post in the classic television comedy series 'Mister...
![Ronald Colman]()
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1994)
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an iconic First Lady who transformed the role through her elegance, cultural sophistication, and historical...
- Nathaniel Hawthorne (1864)
American short-story writer and novelist who was an expert in the allegory and symbol story.
- Jack Brabham (2014)
Jack Brabham was an iconic Australian racing driver who became the only Formula One world champion to win a title in a car of his own...
- Luis Ocaña (1994)
Luis Ocaña was a prominent Spanish professional cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1973 and was known for his fierce and aggressive...
- John Betjeman (1984)
Prominent British poet, writer, and broadcaster who was instrumental in preserving Victorian architecture and was appointed Poet Laureate in...
- Morley Safer (2016)
Renowned Canadian-American journalist best known for his long tenure on CBS's '60 Minutes', where he delivered impactful and investigative...
- Coleman Hawkins (1969)
Coleman Hawkins was a pioneering jazz tenor saxophonist who significantly shaped the development of bebop and swing music.
What day of the year is May 19?
May 19th marks the 139th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 140th in case of leap years).
There are 226 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 19th is the 19th day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 19?
On May 19th, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.
| May | 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 May 19?
The zodiac sign associated with May 19th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
