May 19: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On May 19, 1962, the world watched as Marilyn Monroe delivered her legendary, sultry rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Quick Facts for May 19
- Zodiac sign: Taurus
- Day of year: 139
About May 19
May 19 serves as a profound day of remembrance and celebration across the globe. In Vietnam, the nation honors the birth of its founding leader, Ho Chi Minh, while in the United States, the day is marked by the legacy of activist Malcolm X. This blend of political significance and cultural memory defines the date, moving from the revolutionary spirit of the 20th century to the personal tributes offered to world leaders.
Beyond politics, the day has been a pivot point for global borders and scientific progress. It marks the moment in 1848 when the Mexican-American War officially concluded through the ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. From the shifting landscapes of North American geography to the celestial journeys of space probes, May 19 connects the terrestrial struggles of nations with the infinite curiosity of mankind.
Holidays & Observances on May 19
- Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day (Greece)
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkey, Northern Cyprus)
- Remembrance Day (Sri Lanka)
- Hồ Chí Minh's Birthday (Vietnam)
- Malcolm X Day (United States of America)
- National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States)
- Hepatitis Testing Day (United States)
- Mother's Day (Kyrgyzstan)
Fun & National Days on May 19
- National Devil's Food Cake Day — Indulge in a rich, chocolatey slice of decadence to celebrate this delicious day.
- Dinosaur Day — Channel your inner paleontologist and enjoy some prehistoric-themed fun today!
- Accounting Day — Take a moment to appreciate the numbers that keep the world running smoothly.
- Boy's Club Day
- Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day
- May Ray Day
- National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- National Hepatitis Testing Day
- National Roadie Day
- World Family Doctor Day
On This Day in History
- 1051 — The marriage between the Rus' princess Anne of Kiev and King Henry I of France took place.
- 1499 — A young Catherine of Aragon was married via proxy to Arthur, the Prince of Wales.
- 1536 — Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was executed for treason and adultery.
- 1643 — French troops secured a massive victory against Spain at the Battle of Rocroi during the Thirty Years' War.
- 1798 — Napoleon Bonaparte departed from France, leading an expeditionary force to invade Egypt.
- 1848 — The Mexican-American War ended as Mexico ratified a treaty ceding vast territories to the United States.
- 1911 — Canada established the world's very first national park service under the Dominion Parks Branch.
- 1919 — Mustafa Kemal Atatürk landed at Samsun, a pivotal moment that sparked the Turkish War of Independence.
- 1961 — The Venera 1 probe achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first man-made object to fly past Venus.
- 1962 — Marilyn Monroe famously performed a birthday tribute to President John F. Kennedy in New York City.
- 1963 — The influential 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' by Martin Luther King Jr. was published in the New York Post.
- 2018 — An estimated 1.9 billion people watched the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Famous Birthdays on May 19
- 1744 — Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, The German-born queen who became the consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.
- 1795 — Johns Hopkins, An American businessman whose philanthropic legacy established a world-renowned university.
- 1879 — Nancy Astor, The trailblazing American-English politician who became the first woman to sit in Parliament.
- 1890 — Ho Chi Minh, The influential Vietnamese politician who served as the nation's first president.
- 1925 — Malcolm X, A prominent American minister and a powerful figure in the civil rights movement.
- 1955 — James Gosling, The computer scientist celebrated for his creation of the Java programming language.
- 1992 — Sam Smith, The acclaimed English singer-songwriter known for their soulful voice and global hits.
- 2003 — Jojo Siwa, A popular American dancer, singer, and massive social media personality.