Today in History - 19th August, 2025

Major Events

• 1692 - Salem Witch Trials: 5 people executed in Salem, Massachusetts
• 1812 - USS Constitution defeats HMS Guerriere (“Old Ironsides”)
• 1942 - Dieppe Raid: Allied forces suffer heavy losses in France
• 1953 - CIA-backed coup in Iran overthrows PM Mosaddegh
• 1960 - USSR’s Sputnik 5 launches with dogs Belka & Strelka, returns safely
• 1980 - Saudia Flight 163 disaster kills 301 in Riyadh
• 1991 - Failed Soviet coup against Mikhail Gorbachev
• 2004 - Google launches IPO, raising $1.66 billion
• 2010 - Last U.S. combat brigade leaves Iraq

Notable Birthdays

• 1921 - Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek
• 1946 - Bill Clinton, 42nd U.S. President

Observances

• World Humanitarian Day - Honoring humanitarian workers
• World Photography Day - Celebrating photography as art & science
• National Aviation Day (USA) - Orville Wright’s birthday, promoting aviation
• Eddie Gaedel Day (Missouri, USA) - Honoring the shortest MLB player