April 19 in History: American Revolution Begins, Oklahoma City Bombing, and First Space Helicopter Flight

Discover what happened on April 19 in history, along with notable events that shaped revolution, tragedy, and space exploration.

What Happened on April 19 in History?

From the first shots of the American Revolution to a devastating act of domestic terrorism and a groundbreaking flight on another planet, April 19 marks moments that changed history in profound ways.

APRIL 19 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1764 – The English Parliament banned the American colonies from printing paper money.

1775 – The American Revolution began as fighting broke out at Lexington, MA.

1861 – Thaddeus S. C. Lowe sailed 900 miles in nine hours in a hot air balloon from Cincinnati, OH, to Unionville, SC.

1892 – The Duryea gasoline buggy was introduced in the U.S. by Charles and Frank Duryea.

1897 – The first annual Boston Marathon was held. It was the first of its type in the U.S. It was won by New Yorker John J. McDermott in a time of 2:55:10.

1911 – In Grand Rapids, MI, some 4,000 workers waked off their jobs at 35 furniture shops. They stayed out 19 weeks in a strike for better pay and improved working conditions. The Grand Rapids Police Department had a Riot Squad that served to keep the peace.

1917 – Gov. Albert Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, also known as the Michigan State Constabulary. Public Act 26 reorganized the Constabulary as the permanent, peace-time Michigan State Police on March 26, 1919.

1927 – Ty Tyson provided play by play of the Detroit Tigers game over radio station WWJ in Detroit for the first time. The Tigers scored a 8-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

1933 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation that removed the U.S. from the gold standard.

1939 – Connecticut approved the Bill of Rights for the U.S. Constitution after 148 years.

1951 – General Douglas MacArthur gave his “Old Soldiers” speech before Congress after being relieved by President Harry Truman. In the address General MacArthur said that “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

1956 – Actress Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The civil ceremony took place on April 18.

1960 – Baseball uniforms began displaying player’s names on their backs.

1967 – Surveyor 3 landed on the moon and began sending photos back to the U.S.

1971 – Russia launched the Salyut into orbit around Earth. It was the first space station.

1971 – Charles Manson was sentenced to death (later commuted life imprisonment) for conspiracy to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders.

1977 – Alex Haley received a special Pulitzer Prize for his book “Roots.”

1982 – NASA named Sally Ride to be first woman astronaut. Guion S. Bluford Jr. was named as the first African American astronaut.

1982 – The U.S. announced a ban on U.S. tourist and business travel to Cuba.

1987 – In Phoenix, AZ, skydiver Gregory Robertson went into a 200-mph free-fall to save an unconscious colleague 3,500 feet from the ground.

1987 – The last California condor known to be in the wild was captured and placed in a breeding program at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

1987 – “The Simpsons” premiered as a short cartoon called “Good Night” on television’s “The Tracy Ullman Show”.

1988 – Sonny Bono was inaugurated as the Mayor of Palm Springs, CA.

1989 – A giant asteroid passed within 500,000 miles of Earth.

1989 – A gun turret exploded aboard the USS Iowa. 47 sailors were killed.

1990 – The TV show “Wings” debuted.

1991 – Evander Holyfield beat George Foreman in 12 rounds for the heavyweight boxing crown.

1993 – The Branch-Davidian’s compound in Waco, TX, burned to the ground. It was the end of a 51-day standoff between the cult and U.S. federal agents. 86 people were killed including 17 children. Nine of the Branch Davidians escaped the fire.

1994 – A Los Angeles, CA jury awarded Rodney King $3.8 million for the police violation of his civil rights.

1995 – The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK, was destroyed by a bomb. It was the worst bombing on U.S. territory. 168 people were killed including 19 children, and 500 were injured. Timothy McVeigh was found guilty of the bombing on June 2, 1997.

2000 – The Oklahoma City National Memorial was dedicated on the fifth anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma that killed 168 people.

2000 – Oprah Winfrey debuted “O” magazine.

2002 – The movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” debuted in theaters.

2002 – The USS Cole was relaunched. In Yemen, 17 sailors were killed when the ship was attacked by terrorists on October 12, 2000. The attack was blamed on Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network.

2005 – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected to the papacy and became Pope Benedict XVI.

2009 – The TV show “Cake Boss” premiered.

2013 – Boston Marathon bombings suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a shootout with police. His brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured while hiding in a boat inside a backyard in Watertown, MA.

2021 – NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter achieved the first flight on another planet.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON APRIL 19:

Justin Francis Rigali – 91 years old (1935) – Cardinal

Elinor Donahue – 89 years old (1937) – Actress

Stanley Fish – 88 years old (1938) – Theorist, author, and scholar

James Heckman – 82 years old (1944) – Economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Frank Viola – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player and coach

Kim Weaver – 62 years old (1964) – Astrophysicist, astronomer, and academic

Suge Knight – 61 years old (1965) – Record executive

Ashley Judd – 58 years old (1968) – Actress

Madeleine Peyroux – 52 years old (1974) – French jazz and blues singer-songwriter

Michelle Feldman – 50 years old (1976) – Bowler

James Franco – 48 years old (1978) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Amanda Sage – 48 years old (1978) – American-Austrian painter and educator

Kate Hudson – 47 years old (1979) – Actress

Troy Polamalu – 45 years old (1981) – Football player

Samuel C. Morrison – 44 years old (1982) – Jr. , Liberian-American journalist, producer, and screenwriter

Ali Wong – 44 years old (1982) – Comedian and actress

Joe Mauer – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player

Candace Parker – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player

Jackie Bradley Jr. – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player

Dalton Knecht – 25 years old (2001) – Basketball player

Loren Gray – 24 years old (2002) – Singer and internet personality

Jackson Merrill – 23 years old (2003) – Baseball player

The Rizzler – 10 years old (2016) – Internet personality

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR APRIL 19:

• National Hanging Out Day: Help the environment and extend the life of your clothes by line drying. Give it a try, and see if that’s a positive change you could end up making long-term.
• National Garlic Day: If you think you have enough garlic, add more. These flavorful bulbs improve just about every dish you could think to put them in, so get cooking!
• Bicycle Day: Despite the name, Bicycle Day is not about pedal bikes or Queen; it’s a day to recognize the scientific and psychiatric impact of the drug known as LSD.
• National Cat Lady Day: Why are cats often compared to women? Perhaps it’s because both can be mysterious, independent, and occasionally unpredictable. National Cat Lady Day celebrates the special bond between women and their feline friends. This day highlights the joy and companionship that cats bring into their owners' lives. It is a time for...
• World Jackal Day: Stealthy creatures of the wild, navigating their habitats with cunning precision, and embodying nature's resilient and adaptable spirit.
• National Primrose Day: Blossoming in delicate hues, primrose graces gardens, a testament to nature's subtle beauty and resilience.
• National Amaretto Day: Mix up a cocktail with Amaretto, or try distilling your own almond-flavored liqueur and toast to the versatile, sweet and bitter, tasty Italian spirit.
• Go Fly a Kite Day: Go Fly a Kite Day is a breezy celebration that gets everyone outside to enjoy the simple pleasure of kite flying. It's not just about watching kites dance in the sky; it's a day full of joy, creativity, and a bit of science, too. Whether you're young or old, the excitement...
• John Parker Day: John Parker Day is a special occasion celebrated every year on April 19. This day honors Captain John Parker, a key figure in the early battles of the American Revolutionary War. It's a day to remember the courage and dedication of those who fought for American independence​​​​. John Parker was a...
• Dutch-American Friendship Day: Dutch‑American Friendship Day marks the bond between the United States and the Netherlands. It celebrates when John Adams was welcomed by the States General in The Hague in 1782 as the first U.S. envoy. That moment began formal diplomatic ties and saw the establishment of the first American embassy overseas. People...
• Poetry & The Creative Mind Day: The mind needs creative outlets to be happy and healthy, and that’s the point of Poetry And The Creative Mind Day, when you can let your emotions out in word or art.
• National Poker Day: National Poker Day celebrates a game that blends skill, chance, and human connection. It brings people together around a table, whether in a cozy home or a bustling casino. The game’s appeal lies in its mix of strategy and unpredictability, offering both casual fun and serious competition. On this day...
• Refresh Your Goals Day: Refresh Your Goals Day is like a friendly checkpoint on your journey. You stop, breathe, and ask yourself, “Is this still what I want?” Life gets messy, plans drift, and that’s okay. This day gives you space to reset without pressure. Maybe some goals need tweaking, or maybe you've outgrown...
• National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day: National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day honors those impacted by the tragic event at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The day pays tribute to the victims, survivors, and the resilient spirit of the community. This solemn occasion offers a time for reflection, unity, and remembrance, allowing people to come...
• National North Dakota Day: National North Dakota Day celebrates the state's unique qualities and contributions. This day shines a spotlight on North Dakota's stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm-hearted residents. From the vast prairies to the beautiful national parks, the state's natural beauty is breathtaking. It's a day to appreciate the remarkable environment that...
• Humorous Day: Did you know laughter can cool your brain? This fun fact shows how powerful humor is. Finding humor in small things makes everyday life brighter. It turns a regular moment into a joyful memory. Laughing over little things helps us stay positive, even on tough days. So, let yourself laugh...
• Sylvester the Cat’s Birthday: Sylvester the Cat's Birthday rolls around every year, giving fans a reason to celebrate one of the most beloved characters from the Looney Tunes universe. On this day, many remember Sylvester's joy in their lives, especially the endless chase scenes with Tweety Bird that both amused and endeared him to audiences...
• National Rice Ball Day: This Japanese staple is delicious, adaptable, nutritious and cheap, so choose your favorite way—or a few ways—to dress your Rice Ball, and enjoy the sticky delicacy.
• National Pediatric Transplant Week: Each year, thousands of children across the world benefit from the life-saving medical intervention that comes through organ donation. But the list of those in need of organ donors is long and these younger patients often have to wait for a great deal of time for matches because of complex...
• Money Smart Week: Being smart with money isn't just about saving; it's also about making informed decisions and enjoying the process. Money Smart Week offers the perfect opportunity to dive into financial literacy and reconsider financial habits. In its essence, Money Smart Week is a lively event held annually to boost financial literacy...
• Coin Week: Begin or grow your coin collection, learn about how countries’ mints reflect their history, or join a coin club or even local competition during Coin Week.
• FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
• National Princess Week: When you think of a princess, images of elegance, courage, and kindness come to mind. National Princess Week celebrates these traits, inviting everyone to embrace their inner royalty. This special week, started by Julie Andrews, Disney, and Target, is a chance to enjoy the magic and charm associated with princesses...
• Cleaning for a Reason Week: Cleaning for a Reason Week is a special time when cleaning companies, donors, and communities come together to support people going through cancer treatment. During this week, the goal is to bring in more cleaning partners, raise money, and help more households with free cleaning services. Volunteers and professional cleaners pitch...
• National Volunteer Week: Contributing time and effort, volunteering fosters positive change, enriching lives, and creating a ripple of goodwill in communities.
• Administrative Professionals Week: In offices around the globe, desks become stages of gratitude during Administrative Professionals Week. Teams come together, celebrating those who keep the gears turning. Imagine the scene: colorful bouquets and heartfelt notes replace reports and spreadsheets. Managers pause meetings to say "thank you," acknowledging the often unseen dedication of their...
• National Park Week: Say hello to beautiful plants, native wildlife, natural landscapes, and unique terrains because it’s time to celebrate and enjoy National Park Week! History of National Park Week The first National Park Week was celebrated in 1991 when it was declared by US President George H.W. Bush to honor the 75th anniversary...
• Global Days of Action on Military Spending: The Global Days of Action on Military Spending is a lively global campaign that invites people everywhere to rethink how public funds are used. It urges governments to shift resources from arms to real security, like health, education, and clean energy. When new military spending data arrives, advocates use the moment...
• National Sky Awareness Week: Humans go through life each day looking at the buildings, cars, computer screens, and other people around them, but it seems like a rare event that they will spend time being aware of the sky. National Sky Awareness Week seeks to remind people of all ages that there is something interesting...

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