Today in History graphic for July 19 featuring the Rosetta Stone, Apollo 11 in lunar orbit, the first GPS signal, and Marilyn Monroe.

July 19 in History: The Rosetta Stone Is Found, Apollo 11 Orbits the Moon, and GPS Is Born

Scott Winters July 19, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on July 19 in history as remarkable achievements, historic milestones, technological advances, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on July 19 in History?

Important events on this day include the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, Apollo 11 entering lunar orbit, the transmission of the world’s first GPS signal, Marilyn Monroe’s first screen test, and the debut of The Conjuring.

JULY 19 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1799 – The Rosetta Stone was found in Egypt. The stone contained the same text written in hieroglyphics, Demotic script, and Ancient Greek, allowing scholars to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics.

1848 – The Women’s Rights Convention took place in Seneca Fall, NY. Bloomers were introduced at the convention.

1939 – Fiberglass sutures were used for the first time by Dr. Roy P. Scholz.

1946 – Marilyn Monroe acted in her first screen test.

1954 – Elvis Presley’s first single was released by Sun Records. It was “That’s Alright (Mama)” backed by Blue Moon of Kentucky.

1969 – Apollo 11 and its astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins went into orbit around the moon.

1971 – The topping out ceremony of Two World Trade Center (the South Tower) took place in New York, NY. An earlier ceremony for One World Trade Center took place on December 23, 1970.

1974 – The Senate Judicial Committee recommended that President Richard Nixon be impeached.

1975 – After being linked in orbit for two days, the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts separated.

1977 – The world’s first Global Positioning System (GPS) signal was successfully transmitted by Navigation Technology Satellite-2 (NTS-2), marking the beginning of modern satellite navigation.

1982 – The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 14% of the population had an income below the official poverty level in 1981.

1983 – The first three-dimensional reconstruction of a human head in a CT was published.

1984 – Geraldine Ferraro was nominated by the Democratic Party to become the first woman from a major political party to run for the office of U.S. Vice-President.

1985 – Those are some big shoes to fill…George Bell won first place in a biggest feet contest. He had a shoe size of 28-1/2. He’s tall as well, standing 7′ 10″ tall.

1985 – Christa McAuliffe, of New Hampshire, was chosen to be the first schoolteacher to ride aboard the Space Shuttle. She died with six others when the Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986.

1989 – United Flight 232 crashed in Sioux City, IA, killing 111, with 185 other passengers surviving the crash.

1990 – Baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose was sentenced in Cincinnati, OH, to five months in prison for tax evasion.

1991 – The movie “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” premiered in theaters.

1995 – The movie “Clueless” premiered in theaters.

1995 – The MTV show “Road Rules” premiered, putting six strangers together to live in an RV and travel across the country.

2003 – A 42 year old Austrian man received the world’s first tongue transplant. During a 14 hour surgery, doctors removed a malignant tumor and were able to successfully attach a new tongue.

2005 – Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a law requiring customers to show photo I.D. to purchase some cold and flu medicines. The law was aimed at restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine — the key ingredient for making meth.

2007 – The TV series “Mad Men” debuted on AMC.

2013 – The horror movie “The Conjuring” premiered in theaters.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JULY 19:

Earl Hamilton – 135 years old (1891) – Baseball player

Rachel Robinson – 104 years old (1922) – Professor, registered nurse, and the widow of baseball player Jackie Robinson

Samuel John Hazo – 98 years old (1928) – Author

Vikki Carr – 85 years old (1941) – Singer and actress

Edwin Schlossberg – 81 years old (1945) – Designer, author, and husband of Carolyn Kennedy

Bernie Leadon – 79 years old (1947) – Guitarist and songwriter

Abel Ferrara – 75 years old (1951) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Howard Schultz – 73 years old (1953) – Businessman and author

Steve O'Donnell – 72 years old (1954) – Screenwriter and producer

Srđa Trifković – 72 years old (1954) – Serbian-American journalist and historian

Alvan Adams – 72 years old (1954) – Basketball player

Robert Gibson – 68 years old (1958) – Wrestler

David Robertson – 68 years old (1958) – Conductor

Lisa Lampanelli – 65 years old (1961) – Comedian, actress, and author

Campbell Scott – 65 years old (1961) – Actor, director, and producer

Anthony Edwards – 64 years old (1962) – Actor and director

Teresa Edwards – 62 years old (1964) – Basketball player

David Segui – 60 years old (1966) – Baseball player

Robb Flynn – 58 years old (1968) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Jim Norton – 58 years old (1968) – Comedian, actor, and author

Matthew Libatique – 57 years old (1969) – Cinematographer

Bill Chen – 56 years old (1970) – Poker player and software designer

Michael Modest – 55 years old (1971) – Wrestler

Vince Spadea – 52 years old (1974) – Tennis player

Preston Wilson – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Tony Mamaluke – 49 years old (1977) – Wrestler and manager

Rick Ankiel – 47 years old (1979) – Baseball player

Chris Sullivan – 46 years old (1980) – Actor

Jimmy Gobble – 45 years old (1981) – Baseball player

Christopher Bear – 44 years old (1982) – Drummer

Phil Coke – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Jared Padalecki – 44 years old (1982) – Actor

Adam Morrison – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player

LaMarcus Aldridge – 41 years old (1985) – Basketball player

Yan Gomes – 39 years old (1987) – Brazilian-American baseball player

Jon Jones – 39 years old (1987) – Mixed martial artist

Shane Dawson – 38 years old (1988) – Comedian and actor

Trent Williams – 38 years old (1988) – Football player

Patrick Corbin – 37 years old (1989) – Baseball player

James Austin Johnson – 37 years old (1989) – Actor and comedian

Zach Werenski – 29 years old (1997) – Ice hockey player

Karl Jacobs – 28 years old (1998) – YouTuber and streamer

Tyler Downs – 23 years old (2003) – Diver

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JULY 19:

National Ice Cream Day: Scoops of frozen delight that can cool you down on the hottest of days, and come in endless flavors and toppings.
National Football Day: Gathering fans, this spirited sport unites communities, showcasing athleticism, strategy, and exhilarating moments on the field.
National Daiquiri Day: Embark on a flavorful journey with delightful concoctions that bring a tropical vibe to any gathering and a smile to the lips.
International Karaoke Day: Unleashing vocal energy in a communal melody, karaoke fosters an electric atmosphere where voices converge in harmony.
International Retainer Day: Maintaining a beautiful smile with the help of dental devices to keep teeth aligned, promoting lifelong oral health.
National Urban Beekeeping Day: Honeybees are vital in the natural ecosystem, but these pollinators are at risk in many places. Unlike most types of livestock, certain types of honey bees can easily be kept in urban settings. They pollinate city gardens or farms and provide locally sourced honey for residents. National Urban BeeKeeping Day is...
Flight Attendant Safety Professionals’ Day: Flight Attendant Safety Professionals’ Day honors the heroes who keep air travel safe, smooth, and reassuring. These trained experts do more than serve drinks. They’re ready to respond to medical emergencies, handle turbulence, and protect passengers during evacuations. Calm under pressure, they work hard behind the scenes before takeoff and long...
Lake Superior Day: Lake Superior Day is a lively celebration that honors the vast, fresh waters of the largest lake in North America. People gather by the shore to enjoy free activities like stand‑up paddleboarding, boat rides, and games. There’s live music, food stalls, and educational booths that spark curiosity. Families stroll along...
National Words With Friends Day: National Words With Friends Day honors the popular mobile game, Words With Friends. This game invites players to create words in a crossword-style format, challenging their vocabulary and strategic thinking. Similar to Scrabble, it has connected millions worldwide through friendly competition and learning. Celebrating this day emphasizes the joy of wordplay...
Stick Out Your Tongue Day: Playfully expressing rebellion or conveying a cheeky jest, this non-verbal gesture adds a dash of spontaneous charm.
National Zoo Keeper Week: Dedicated professionals caring for exotic animals, ensuring their well-being, educating the public, and contributing to conservation efforts.
National Moth Week: Sign up for an event or citizen project during Moth Week to get involved, take and post photos, and get a good look at the interesting varieties of moths out there.
National Parenting Gifted Children Week: The unique joys and challenges of nurturing exceptional talents, fostering creativity, and supporting their emotional growth.