On This Day: 19 March

19 March in world history

• 2023The Swiss Government brokers a deal for UBS to buy out rival Credit Suisse in an attempt to calm the 2023 banking crisis.
• 2016An explosion occurs in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, killing five people and injuring 36.
• 2011First Libyan Civil War: The French Air Force launched Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya.
• 2008The gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B, the farthest object from Earth that was observable by the naked eye, was observed.
• 2004The Konginkangas bus disaster kills 23 and injures 14 people in Äänekoski, Finland.
• 1998An Ariana Afghan Airlines Boeing 727 crashes on approach to Kabul International Airport, killing all 45 on board.
• 1989The Egyptian flag is raised at Taba, marking the end of Israeli occupation since the Six Days War in 1967 and the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1979.
• 1982Falklands War: Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, precipitating war with the United Kingdom.
• 1979The American cable television network C-SPAN, covering government proceedings and public-affairs programming, was launched.
• 1965The wreck of the SS Georgiana, valued at over $50,000,000 and said to have been the most powerful Confederate cruiser, is discovered by teenage diver and pioneer underwater archaeologist E. Lee Spence, exactly 102 years after its destruction.
• 1962Influential American musician Bob Dylan released his eponymous debut album, mainly comprising traditional folk, blues and gospel songs.
• 1946French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion become overseas départements of France.
• 1945World War II: Adolf Hitler issues his "Nero Decree" ordering all industries, military installations, shops, transportation facilities, and communications facilities in Germany to be destroyed.
• 1928The highly influential American radio comedy show Amos 'n' Andy made its debut.
• 1921Irish War of Independence: One of the biggest engagements of the war takes place at Crossbarry, County Cork. About 100 Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers escape an attempt by over 1,300 British forces to encircle them.
• 1865American Civil War: The last battle of the Carolinas Campaign, the Battle of Bentonville, began, which contributed to the ultimate Union victory in the war.
• 1279Mongol conquest of Song China: Zhao Bing, the last Song emperor, drowned at the end of the Battle of Yamen, bringing the Song dynasty to an end after three centuries.
• 1277The Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Venice signed a treaty that renegotiated and extended by two years a previous treaty between them.

Born on 19 March

• 1945John Holder, English cricketer and umpire
• 1944Sirhan Sirhan, Palestinian-Jordanian assassin of Robert F. Kennedy
• 1906Adolf Eichmann, German SS officer, one of the main organizers of the Holocaust (died 1962)
• 1891Earl Warren, American lieutenant, jurist, and politician, 14th Chief Justice of the United States (died 1974)
• 1882Gaston Lachaise, French-American sculptor (died 1935)
• 1872Anna Held, Polish singer (died 1918)

Died on 19 March

• 2026Chuck Norris, American martial artist and actor (born 1940)
• 2014Fred Phelps, American lawyer, pastor, and activist, founded the Westboro Baptist Church (born 1929)
• 1998E. M. S. Namboodiripad, Indian theorist and politician, 1st Chief Minister of Kerala (born 1909)India
• 1982J. B. Kripalani, Indian lawyer and politician (born 1888)India

Frequently asked questions

What happened on 19 March in history?

2023: The Swiss Government brokers a deal for UBS to buy out rival Credit Suisse in an attempt to calm the 2023 banking crisis. 2016: An explosion occurs in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, killing five people and injuring 36. 2011: First Libyan Civil War: The French Air Force launched Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya. 2008: The gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B, the farthest object from Earth that was observable by the naked eye, was observed.

Which famous people were born on 19 March?

John Holder, English cricketer and umpire (1945); Sirhan Sirhan, Palestinian-Jordanian assassin of Robert F. Kennedy (1944); Adolf Eichmann, German SS officer, one of the main organizers of the Holocaust (died 1962) (1906); Earl Warren, American lieutenant, jurist, and politician, 14th Chief Justice of the United States (died 1974) (1891).

Which day is observed on 19 March?

Christian Observances: Alkmund of Derby; Christian Observances: Blessed Andrea Gallerani; Christian Observances: Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20) Saint Joseph; Christian Observances: Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20) Saint Joseph; Christian Observances: Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20) Saint Joseph.