August 19 in history — What Happened Today in History

Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to be the first non-communist prime minister in 42 years.

Several hundred East Germans cross the frontier between Hungary and Austria during the Pan-European Picnic, part of the events that began the process of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

Hungerford massacre: In the United Kingdom, Michael Ryan kills sixteen people with a semi-automatic rifle and then commits suicide.

Gulf of Sidra Incident: United States F-14A Tomcat fighters intercept and shoot down two Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 fighter jets over the Gulf of Sidra.

Silvio Santos launches a new Brazilian television channel in São Paulo, Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão.

Saudia Flight 163, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar burns after making an emergency landing at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing 301 people.

Otłoczyn railway accident: In Poland's worst post-war railway accident, 67 people lose their lives and a further 62 are injured.

In Iran, the Cinema Rex fire causes more than 300 deaths.

Japanese prime minister Eisaku Satō becomes the first post-World War II sitting prime minister to visit Okinawa Prefecture.

Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, is launched. Two months later, it would enable live coverage of the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Cold War: In Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, downed American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is sentenced to ten years imprisonment by the Soviet Union for espionage.

Sputnik program: Korabl-Sputnik 2: The Soviet Union launches the satellite with the dogs Belka and Strelka, 40 mice, two rats and a variety of plants.

In the Northeast United States, severe flooding caused by Hurricane Diane, claims 200 lives.

Cold War: The CIA and MI6 help to overthrow the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran and reinstate the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

August Revolution: Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh take power in Hanoi, Vietnam.

World War II: Liberation of Paris: Paris, France rises against German occupation with the help of Allied troops.

World War II: Operation Jubilee (The Dieppe Raid): The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division leads an amphibious assault by allied forces on Dieppe, France and fails.

Germany and Romania sign the Tiraspol Agreement, rendering the region of Transnistria under control of the latter.

First flight of the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.

The Great Purge of the Soviet Union begins when the first of the Moscow Trials is convened.

The first All-American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio.

The German referendum of 1934 approves Adolf Hitler's appointment as head of state with the title of Führer.

Patriarch Sergius of Moscow proclaims the declaration of loyalty of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Soviet Union.

The Tambov Rebellion breaks out, in response to the Bolshevik policy of Prodrazvyorstka.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for automobile racing. William Bourque and his mechanic are killed during the first day's events.

The Transfiguration Uprising breaks out in East Thrace, resulting in the establishment of the Strandzha Commune.

Dakota War: During an uprising in Minnesota, Lakota warriors decide not to attack heavily defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing white settlers along the way.

First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps.

David Rittich, Czech ice hockey player

Salem Al-Dawsari, Saudi Arabian footballer

Romeo Miller, American basketball player, rapper, actor

Kirk Cousins, American football player

Veronica Roth, American author

Patrick Chung, Jamaican-American football player

Manny Jacinto, Canadian actor

Nick Driebergen, Dutch swimmer

Nico Hülkenberg, German racing driver

Sotiris Balafas, Greek footballer

Saori Kimura, Japanese volleyball player

Christina Perri, American singer and songwriter

Lindsey Jacobellis, American snowboarder

Abdul Rahim Hatif, Afghan politician, 8th President of Afghanistan (born 1926)[citation needed]

Donna Hightower, American singer-songwriter (born 1926)

Donal Henahan, American journalist and critic (born 1921)

Ivar Iversen, Norwegian canoe racer (born 1914)

Tony Scott, English-American director and producer (born 1944)

Raúl Ruiz, Chilean director and producer (born 1941)

Don Hewitt, American television producer, created 60 Minutes (born 1922)

Levy Mwanawasa, Zambian lawyer and politician, 3rd President of Zambia (born 1948)

Mo Mowlam, English academic and politician, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (born 1949)

Carlos Roberto Reina, Honduran lawyer and politician, President of Honduras (born 1926)

Sérgio Vieira de Mello, Brazilian diplomat (born 1948)

Donald Woods, South African journalist and activist (born 1933)

Bineshwar Brahma, Indian poet, author, and educator (born 1948)