Every day has its own history, but December 19 stands out as a true heavyweight in the annals of human progress, drama, and discovery. From the grandeur of coronations to the dark secrets of hoaxes, and from space-age breakthroughs to Dickensian cheer, this date has seen it all. Buckle up as we take you on a whirlwind tour of the most unforgettable December 19 moments across centuries!
1154: The Angevin Empire Is Born
Westminster Abbey, December 19, 1154. Henry II, a young and ambitious ruler, ascends the throne of England. This wasn’t just a coronation—it was the dawn of the Angevin Empire. Henry’s reign would stretch beyond England, reaching parts of modern France, Ireland, and Wales.
With Henry at the helm, the empire became a medieval superpower. Think of it as the original “power couple” era—Henry’s marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine only added more lands (and drama) to the mix.
1777: Valley Forge – A Winter of Endurance
Fast forward to the icy December of 1777. George Washington and the Continental Army weren’t sipping hot cocoa by the fire—they were enduring a brutal winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t just cold; it was freezing.
Starvation, disease, and a lack of supplies plagued the troops. But this wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of resilience. What could’ve been a disastrous chapter turned into a story of survival that would fuel the American fight for independence.
1606: Jamestown’s Roots Take Sail
Before Valley Forge, another journey began on December 19, 1606. Three ships—the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery—set sail from England. Their mission? Establish the Jamestown Colony in Virginia.
Spoiler alert: They succeeded, and Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. This moment marked the start of a new chapter in history—a controversial and complicated legacy of exploration, colonization, and cultural exchange.
1843: A Christmas Carol Is Born
Charles Dickens dropped A Christmas Carol on the world on December 19, 1843, and the literary world was never the same. With Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visitors, Dickens didn’t just write a story—he reshaped Christmas as we know it.
Think of it as the original holiday blockbuster, delivering a timeless message of compassion, redemption, and generosity. Over a century later, this novella still brings the holiday feels like nothing else.
1903: Williamsburg Bridge Connects the Big Apple
New York City loves to outdo itself, and on December 19, 1903, the Williamsburg Bridge debuted as the longest suspension bridge in the world. Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, this engineering marvel wasn’t just a bridge—it was a symbol of urban growth and progress. At the time, it represented modernity, innovation, and the unstoppable rise of NYC.
1912: The Piltdown Man Hoax
Here’s a plot twist no one saw coming. On December 19, 1912, scientists in England announced the discovery of the Piltdown Man—a supposed “missing link” in human evolution. For decades, it was hailed as a monumental find.
But plot twist: it was all fake. In 1953, the “discovery” was exposed as a hoax, combining a human skull with an orangutan’s jaw. It’s a cautionary tale of science gone rogue and a reminder to always double-check your sources.
1941: Hitler Takes Command
December 19, 1941, marked a grim milestone in World War II. Adolf Hitler, already Germany’s Führer, assumed the role of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the German Army. This consolidation of power would have devastating consequences as the war escalated. It’s a date that serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority.
1958: Space Calls Earth
On this day in 1958, humanity officially reached out to the cosmos. The SCORE satellite transmitted the first radio broadcast from space, sending a holiday message of peace and goodwill. It was a monumental moment for communication technology and a reminder that even the stars aren’t too far for human ambition.
1972: Apollo 17’s Final Splashdown
The Apollo program’s swan song came to an end on December 19, 1972, when Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. As the last crewed mission to the Moon, it was a bittersweet moment.
The mission gave us iconic lunar samples and breathtaking photos like The Blue Marble. Since then, no human has returned to the Moon, making this date a poignant bookmark in space exploration history.
2013: Gaia’s Galactic Quest
Jumping into the 21st century, December 19, 2013, saw the launch of the European Space Agency’s Gaia space observatory. Its mission? Map the Milky Way in stunning detail.
Over the years, Gaia has delivered incredible insights into our galaxy, uncovering new stars, mapping celestial movements, and broadening our understanding of the cosmos.
1732: Benjamin Franklin’s Almanac Was the TikTok of the 18th Century
Before memes and influencers, there was “Poor Richard.” On this day in 1732, Benjamin Franklin, ever the multitasker, launched Poor Richard’s Almanack. It was the ultimate combo of weather predictions, puzzles, advice, and sassy proverbs, like, “Fish and visitors stink after three days.”
Franklin, writing as his alter ego “Poor Richard,” turned what could’ve been a snooze fest into a bestseller. Think of it as the OG lifehack guide, minus the Wi-Fi.
1848: Emily Brontë’s Tragic Farewell to Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë wrote one of the most haunting novels in literary history, Wuthering Heights, but her own story was equally eerie. On this day, she passed away at just 30 after stubbornly refusing treatment for a cold she caught at her brother Branwell’s funeral.
Imagine writing one book and having it become an eternal classic, then dramatically fading out of the world like the goth heroine you created. Brontë basically lived her own plot twist.
1907: Pittsburgh Pirates Introduce a Mascot, and Chaos Ensues
The Pittsburgh Pirates, true to their name, decided they needed a mascot to shake things up. Enter: a scrappy, playful character who unknowingly sparked a trend that would sweep professional sports.
Fast forward to today, and mascots are out here dancing, trolling players, and sometimes getting into fights. Let’s all thank the Pirates for this essential contribution to sports culture.
1924: Hitler Walks Free—Because the 20th Century Wasn’t Chaotic Enough
File this under “Horrible Decisions in History.” After his failed Beer Hall Putsch, Adolf Hitler got a mere 9-month prison stint, where he wrote Mein Kampf. On this day, he walked free, ready to set the world on fire—literally.
This “release day” was less a turning point and more a ticking time bomb. The fallout? World War II. Enough said.
1932: BBC World Service Went Global Before Global Was Cool
It’s hard to imagine a time without podcasts and YouTube, but back in 1932, the BBC World Service was the voice of the world. What started as a humble broadcast for English-speaking audiences evolved into a multilingual media empire.
From war zones to royal scandals, the BBC has been there, delivering the tea—sometimes literally.
1961: Enos the Chimp Took a Space Road Trip
Before humans took selfies in space, NASA sent Enos the chimp on a wild ride. On this day, Enos orbited Earth twice as part of the Mercury-Atlas 5 mission. Why a chimp? Apparently, his “calm personality” made him perfect for the job.
While it’s a testament to early space exploration, let’s not ignore the ethical elephant in the room: poor Enos had no clue he was making history.
2003: Middle-earth Took Over the World
The premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King wasn’t just a movie release—it was a movement. Hardcore fans camped outside theaters for weeks, decked out in elf ears and wizard robes, dubbing the day “Middle-earth Eve.”
The payoff? A cinematic masterpiece that swept the Oscars and forever changed fantasy films. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to celebrate Frodo and friends like it’s a national holiday?
Why December 19 Matters
From monumental beginnings to sobering lessons, December 19 has carved out a unique place in history. It’s a day of innovation, resilience, and, yes, a little bit of scandal. So next time December 19 rolls around, take a moment to reflect on the incredible tapestry of events that unfolded on this date—and maybe raise a toast to the power of history to inspire, warn, and remind us where we’ve been.
