In History, Today on September 19

The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom, marking the end of ten days of official mourning since her passing on September 8, 2022. It was attended by numerous world leaders and dignitaries.

A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Melbourne, Australia, causing buildings to shake and damage to infrastructure. It was one of the largest earthquakes to hit the region in recent history.

The global climate strike, led by young activists including Greta Thunberg, took place, with millions of people participating worldwide to demand action on climate change.

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck central Mexico, causing widespread damage and resulting in the deaths of over 350 people. The earthquake occurred on the anniversary of the devastating 1985 Mexico City earthquake.

The United States ends its 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the military.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which began on April 20, 2010, was officially declared 'effectively dead' after a successful 'bottom kill' operation permanently sealed the well.

A military coup d'état took place in Thailand, led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while he was attending a United Nations meeting in New York City.

Hurricane Rita formed over the Bahamas as a tropical depression, eventually intensifying to become a Category 5 hurricane. It led to massive evacuations in Texas and Louisiana, less than a month after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Ötzi the Iceman, a well-preserved natural mummy from about 3300 BCE, was discovered in the Ötztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy.

A devastating earthquake struck Mexico City, causing widespread destruction and resulting in thousands of deaths. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes in the history of the Americas.

Saint Kitts and Nevis gains independence from the United Kingdom.

The first emoticon, the smiley face :-) was posted by Scott Fahlman on the Carnegie Mellon University bulletin board, marking a significant moment in digital communication.

The Soyuz 22 spacecraft, a Soviet space mission, is launched to perform Earth observation, especially for preparing the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

The first underground nuclear test, code-named 'Rainier', is conducted at the Nevada Test Site in the United States.

The United States barred Charlie Chaplin from re-entering the country after a trip to England, due to suspicions of his political beliefs and alleged communist sympathies during the Red Scare.

The Battle of Hürtgen Forest began during World War II, a protracted and costly series of battles between American and German forces.

The German Army captured Kiev during Operation Barbarossa, resulting in a significant victory for Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front of World War II.

Bruno Hauptmann was arrested in New York City, accused of kidnapping and murdering Charles Lindbergh Jr., the son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, in a case that captivated the nation.

British author Virginia Woolf published her first novel, 'The Voyage Out,' a landmark in early 20th-century literature, marking the debut of one of the most influential modernist writers.

New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote, a significant milestone in the global women's suffrage movement.

U.S. President James A. Garfield died after being shot on July 2, 1881, by assassin Charles J. Guiteau. His death deepened existing tensions in the Republican Party, leading to civil service reform.

The Siege of Paris began during the Franco-Prussian War. The Prussian forces surrounded Paris, leading to a prolonged siege that lasted until January 28, 1871, resulting in the French surrender and the proclamation of the German Empire.

The Treaty of Navarino is signed as the final peace agreement between the Ottoman Empire and Britain, France, and Russia, which sought to put an end to the tension in Greece. This act effectively laid down the foundations that would lead to the Battle of Navarino, a decisive naval battle that confirmed Greek independence.

President George Washington's Farewell Address was published, advising the United States to avoid permanent alliances with foreign nations and to rely on temporary alliances for emergencies.

The First Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm, occurred during the American Revolutionary War. American forces under General Horatio Gates engaged British troops led by General John Burgoyne.

Giles Corey, accused of witchcraft, dies after being pressed with heavy stones during the Salem witch trials.

Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, was burned to the ground during Bacon's Rebellion, a revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon against the colonial government in Virginia.

Christopher Columbus set sail from Cadiz, Spain on his second voyage to the New World. This voyage was notable for its larger fleet and the transportation of settlers and supplies meant to establish lasting colonies in the Americas.

The Battle of Poitiers took place during the Hundred Years' War, where the English forces, led by Edward, the Black Prince, defeated the French army, capturing King John II of France.

On this date, the Siege of Jerusalem by the forces of Saladin began during the Crusades. Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, led his Muslim forces to capture the city from the Crusaders. This event was pivotal, as it marked the conclusion of the peak period of Muslim re-conquest of the Crusader states in the Levant.

The Viking Great Heathen Army, led by Ivar the Boneless, captures the city of York, establishing a stronghold in Northumbria.

The Battle of Yarmouk ends with a decisive victory for the Rashidun Caliphate, led by commander Khalid ibn al-Walid, over the Byzantine Empire. This battle marked a significant turning point in the Muslim conquests, leading to the rapid Islamic expansion into the Levant.

The Roman Emperor Domitian celebrates a triumph over the Chatti, a Germanic tribe, marking a significant military victory for Rome.